*Belmont Shores, CA (Long Beach) – Marcus Parker aka Flame Monroe will be the first to tell you, “I’ve come a long way since growing up in the rough city of Chicago!”
Parker is now living just a block away from the scenic beach’s waves crashing against the sandy shoreline.
There’s also the beautiful and grassy park filled with slides, swings and other fun equipment for her three children to play in the exclusive city of Belmont Shores just a stone’s throw from the city of Long Beach, CA. I think many others would agree that Flame Monroe has come a long way too and living a good life in a safe city for her children and herself.
Known as “Marcus the Sissy” most of his teen years, He got used to the name calling and bullying and carried on with the life that he knew fit well for him. When babysitting his younger brother who just happens to be 12 years his junior, Marcus would entertain him by sneaking into their Mom’s closet and make-up caboodle. The images that caught his attention most on television at that time were Diana Ross and the Supremes with their wigs, exotic make-up and flowing gowns. Although he would be the first to admit that he does not have the talent for neither singing nor dancing, he would give it a 100% try at faking it!
Marcus knew early on that there was no desire whatsoever to play sports, BUT he could jump into a serious double-dutch game with a second’s notice! Of course, there was the teasing at school and at home which came with lots of fights and he fought as hard as he could “just like any other girl on the block.” With so much time alone and the constant absence of his Mom from their home, he knew he had to be a fighter for himself and a protector of his younger brother. Bullying has been around a long time and surely will remain as long as parents don’t teach their young ones to respect others and share the hurtful impact that can remain throughout someone’s life. Also tolerance of anyone that may appear different is an absent conversation in many homes.
After finishing high school, he knew that as an adult he could choose the life that he desperately always wanted to live. First of all, the name had to change! Because of the love of red hair, and the bottle of tint that was purchased to change his hair to this color, he fell in love with the name Flame. Flame Monroe it is!!! She dated men and women. Dressed as a woman mostly with her beautiful clothing, hairstyles and shoes. She began hormone treatments at 21 years old to start the change to her body and voice. Received first breast implants at 23 years old . She went as far away as Mexico to get plastic surgery. Started performing in Drag shows at the age of 21.
She decided to do the Bonnie and Clyde thing with a boyfriend and was successful for a while robbing banks. After the relationship ended, the former boyfriend decided it was a good idea to blow the whistle on Flame’s bank robbing stints. She was sentenced to prison for 3 ½ years and by now her body was definitely quite feminine with her boob job and curvy hips and long flaming red hair! Her time in prison didn’t last long after the warden found that all of the men were overly happy about Flame being there and lining her bed with all type of sweets and snacks – honey buns, chips, candy and gifts. She was in heaven!!! The warden thought it would be best to give her an early release and strap her ankle with an ankle bracelet; time served and probation. In the end, she served a total of 48 days! He did not want her there. Facilities at that time were no set up to accommodate a Transgender person.
Comedy was always at the front for Flame. She is known to be hilarious by family and friends. Always telling jokes and never backing down on the ‘dozens!” She first did stand up in 1997. Later taking her act on the road as Bernie Mac pointed out how funny she was and that she really should pursue standup.
In recent news, the passing of Alexis Arquette (actor/performer) brother/sister of the famous Arquette family has shed a bit more spotlights on the Transgender community. Jeffrey Tambor who currently plays the role of a man transitioning to female on EMMY Award winning show “Transparent” mentioned the need for more jobs for those that ARE Transgender. He said, “I just hope there are more opportunities for transgender talent.” “I would very much like to be the last cisgender male playing a transgender female. I think we are there now.”
Flame has enjoyed some success as the ONLY Transgender Urban Comedienne along with her work as a Drag Queen. From B.E.T.’s Comicview, The Apollo, Def Jam Comedy, “Baggin” pilot on HBO, and OH DRAMA, appearances on Jerry Springer(when it was a regular talk show) Jenny Jones and Rikki Lake. She has performed at many other Comedy venues across America, there’s still the lack of acceptance primarily by some African American male and female Comics. Flame recalled one evening at a comedy show where she really killed it and had a standing ovation from the audience, she went on to say, “When I returned backstage, the same Comics that had just given each other high fives for their performances, became silent or looked the other way when I entered the room.” She has mentioned overhearing some say that they do not want to share a stage with a Transgender person or gay person. Some of which are really BIG names today.
With that said, Flame has not let anyone put her “flame” out…yes pun intended! She continues her Drag Queen performances and most recently was hired to host and perform at The Mardi Restaurant at the Palihouse Hotel in West Hollywood. She was a guest on THE ACTOR’s CHOICE with host/producer, Ron Brewington. Flame Monroe is at this point, the only Urban Transgender Comedienne in Los Angeles. She’s still full of energy, high fashioned, and hasn’t lost a beat at including a cartwheel at some of her drag performances. She does a super hot impersonation of Tina Turner, Gloria Gaynor, Beyonce and a few others.
With a bit more attention put on the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Community, Flame is looking forward to possibilities of doors opening for consistent work for Transgender persons in all arenas. She is not that spokesperson or activist that you see in some cities. She works hard to provide for her biological children (2) 13 year olds – a son and daughter*they are not twins** and (1) 9 year old daughter.
She is the “AM Dad and PM Drag!” You can find her at a PTA meeting during the day and onstage by night performing either Comedy or a Drag Queen routine.
In an upcoming book, she will share all of the details to her external and internal changes to become the Transgender person that she is today; more on her relationships and the many ups and downs in the entertainment industry; her beliefs that may not fit with the views of many others in the LGBT communities and her religion. Stay tuned, this will be a book you will not want to put down!!!
When I asked Flame how would you like to be described?, she responded with, “I’m a TALENT with extras!!!”
Flame Monroe is available for Comedy Performances, Drag Queen Performances and Hosting events. For booking and media inquiries, please contact her Publicist – Cynthia Busby of Busby Promotions at [email protected].
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