Drama Queen: Kitty Litter

The first lady of Providence is celebrating 50 years of fabulousness in 2014. (“I gave myself that title when David Cicciline first became mayor,” she says. “He was single and I thought the city needed a first lady. I don’t think he was as excited about it as I was.”) While Kitty Litter’s birthday bash was in June, she’s always got a party dress on, and it’s usually for a good cause. What started as a one-night-only show at an AIDS benefit 15 years ago has turned into 500 appearances at fundraisers in New England. By day, Stephen Hartley is the development director for AIDS Care Ocean State; by night, he’s Providence’s most fabulous drag queen. Good thing she uses her powers for good. Catch Kitty Litter performing regularly at the Comedy Connection in East Providence, the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket and as the host of Gay Bingo for AIDS Care Ocean State. “At times I’m exhausted,” she says, “but then I think of why I am doing this and for who. I’m thankful that Rhode Island has accepted this old drag queen for so many years, and has supported a lot of the fundraisers I have done.”