Known for massive club hits such as 1996’s “Cunty (The Feeling)” and a brilliant 1997 cover of George Kranz’s “Din Da Da,” Big Apple nightlife personality Kevin Aviance has launched a fundraiser to raise money for a double hip replacement. “When us ‘queens’ sign up for this fabulous career of doing drag to entertain for all of you the one thing we’re NOT given is medical insurance,” states Aviance, who says he has difficulty walking and performing.
“From marching down Pride events all over the world on foot down the entire route to greet fans, to full choreography shows at Wigstock, charity events, store openings & and many many after-hour marathons in nightclubs week after week for 20 plus years and then being brutally gay bashed have taken a toll on my body. I’ve been known for my over-the-top shows and the way I move on stage and now that has been taken away from me. I can barely walk and it’s been struggle to even put a pair of heels on to just host shows but I have to bite the bullet and deal with the pain for now to survive.”
Aviance, who has been lying low in recent years due to his health condition, says once he undergoes surgery, which will cost $100,000, he will be back to performing within four to five months.
“I’ve gotta eat and pay my own bills but I do have the urge to make a full comeback and perform around the world again but need to take care of this matter first.”
Contributions to Aviance’s surgery can be made via his Give Forward page.