Lady Chablis, Transgender 'Midnight' Star, Dies at Age 59 (NYT link also incl.)

[Behind the Aegis]

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Lady Chablis, the transgender performer who became an unlikely celebrity for her role in the 1994 best-seller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," died Thursday in Savannah, her family said. She was 59.

Chablis' sister, Cynthia Ponder, confirmed she died at Candler Hospital. A close friend, Cale Hall, said Chablis died from pneumonia and had been in the hospital for the past month.

A modern, nonfiction take on Southern Gothic storytelling, author John Berendt's "Midnight" thrust Savannah into the pop-culture spotlight. And the sassy, blunt-spoken Chablis rode the book's popularity to a level of fame that was rare for transgender performers at the time.

"The legacy that she wanted to leave was one of 'believe in who you are and never let the world change who you are,'" Ponder said. "Love yourself first and respect yourself first and others will love and respect you."

Chablis insisted on playing herself in 1997's "Midnight" movie directed by Clint Eastwood. That same year she published an autobiography, "Hiding My Candy."

more...


from the NYT story about her passing.

[hr]

Chablis was my friend. When I came out in college, she was one of the people who welcomed me into the gay world. I used to go to her performances all of the South and partied with her more times than I can count. She had a sharp tongue, but a huge heart. Years later, I ran into her in Atlanta and she called me by my nickname (she gave me). I teased her and asked if she knew my real name, she said "Ms. Thang, please!" and blurted out my real name.

I am so lucky to have known someone like her.

[shenmue]

1. ...

[In_The_Wind]

2. I'm so very sorry for your loss, Behind the Aegis.

She was beautiful and very talented. May she rest in paradise.

[CherokeeDem]

3. So sorry to hear this...

The book, the documentary, and the movie continue to be among my favorites.

Lady Chablis was larger than life and an unforgettable character.

RIP.

[GoDawgs]

4. In depth local article from Savannah Morning News paper

Long form article in SMN:

http://savannahnow.com/news/2016-09-08/i-just-try-be-who-i-am-savannah-midnight-fans-mourn-celebrate-lady-chablis

the Grand Empress needn't hide the candy anymore.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Thank you for posting that article.

From special Key Lime Pie, to this, you are really helping me out. It is much appreciated. When reading that article, I laughed because I forgot how she was often called, "The Doll".

[GoDawgs]

8. She occasionally 'appeared' at the Charlie Brown Cabaret in Atlanta in the early-mid 90's

By appeared I mean she stole the show. Fantastic snark. She did a lot of charity events here too. Then again, lots of us were to be found at Club1 in Savannah any given weekend, or Chuck's or Pink house

[Behind the Aegis]

9. OMG, the Charlie Brown Cabaret!! I always loved the one with her fire batons!

I thought her name was Raven, but that's not right...Cézanne, that was her name!

I used to watch Chablis in Columbia (various clubs as they always open and closed in various locations). I ran into her at Club1 one year and the line was out the door, she dragged me and my friends to the front of the line. When the bouncer gave her shit, she gave it right back and we waltzed in the door! LOL!

Did you ever get to out with her outside of the clubs? She was really different, very down-to-earth.

[Warpy]

5. A lot of folks here don't know who she was, so (WARNING NSFW)

Her she is in all her talented and hilarious glory:

RIP, and thanks for the laughs.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Thank you for posting that.

I am just sobbing after watching it, but I have such good memories of her. Of course, she was always the best when she was performing a number from "Sweet Pussy Pauline."

She was bigger than life on stage, but such a sweet person in private. Still sassy, she was always sassy.

[Skittles]

10. lovely gal

inside and out

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. I remember her. Rip

[icymist]

12. .

[8 track mind]

13. She was awesome!

[LostOne4Ever]

14. Sorry for the late reply

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4]I haven't been checking on DU as much lately.

My deepest condolences. Too many flames as been dying out lately and it seems that hers was a particularly bright one.[/font]