The Bag Ladies could quite possibly be the nation’s first HIV/AIDS fundraising organization. Since the initial bus tour in 1981, more and more men and women have become part of this on-going and growing tradition. Around Halloween 1981, seventy or so men dressed in drag, boarded three buses, and began a journey to help in the fight against AIDS calling themselves “The Bag Ladies.” The Bag Ladies got their name from an article out of a New York City newspaper. Coburn (Coby) Palmer, one of the original Bag Ladies, read in the article that the New York “bag ladies” were fun and campy and had lots of “chutzpah!”
The Beginning
The Bus Tour
The invitation for the first Bag Lady Bus Tour came on a simple brown paper bag and said nothing about HIV, AIDS, or a new, mysterious deadly disease that seemed to be singling out gay men. Partygoers would dress in drag and tote a trash bag full of costume changes like the bag ladies in New York City. A city bus would ferry them to a Halloween crawl of the city’s gay bars. It was just about having a good time in 1981 — until AIDS loomed on the horizon. Since then, the Bag Ladies — the organization that grew out of the first event — has raised more than $1 million. The Bag Ladies are one of the oldest AIDS fundraising organizations in the country. But, the Bag Ladies would not have happened if not for the three men (Coby Palmer, Ed Walsh & Gary Johnson) who organized that first party.
Current Events & The Bus Tour
The invitation for the first Bag Lady Bus Tour came on a simple brown paper bag and said nothing about HIV, AIDS, or a new, mysterious deadly disease that seemed to be singling out gay men. Partygoers would dress in drag and tote a trash bag full of costume changes like the bag ladies in New York City. A city bus would ferry them to a Halloween crawl of the city’s gay bars. It was just about having a good time in 1981 — until AIDS loomed on the horizon.
Bag Lady Queen Selection Criteria ( Updated 2017 )
The purpose of the Bag Lady Queen is to provide community service and help plan and create fundraising events. Below is detailed information about the selection criteria for Bag Lady Queen.
The following information is provided to make sure that all Bag Lady Queen candidates are aware of the rules and expectations for the campaign and duties in the role of Bag Lady Queen.
Announcing Candidacy
- Potential candidates are encouraged to wait until a formal announcement is made regarding any consideration in running for the title of Bag Lady Queen.
- Applications will be accepted starting January 1 and will continue to be accepted until June 1. All candidates will be formally introduced at the Bag Lady Loud & Proud show during Circle City IN Pride Week.
- Each candidate will be required to complete an application which requires endorsement from a former Bag Lady Queen