GREGORY HARRIS
(He, His, Him)
Activist
A born and raised Macon native, Gregory is a trailblazer
whose grassroots advocacy is educating and empowering
the LGBTQ+ community. He is a US Navy veteran (War on
Terrorism) and formerly served as the community liaison
for the North Central Health District at Compass Cares. He
plays an active role in creating an uplifting community for
those facing stigma while living with HIV and connecting
HIV positive individuals to care. He has been instrumental
in creating an uplifting community for those facing
stigma while living with HIV and connecting HIV-positive
individuals to care.
TANGERINE SUMMERS
(A.K.A RAY GRISSETT)
(He, His, Him)
Activist, Drag Queen
One of Macon's most notable female impersonators: There
is only one Tangerine Summers. For almost 50 years, she
has left audiences slack-jawed and cheering with her
energetic performances. She became a professional female
impersonator at the age of 17. After her start, she went on
to headline at Macon's first gay bar, the We Three Lounge,
followed by shows at Landmark (where she did the infamous
candle wax shows to Mother's Finest's "Baby Love"), as
well as The Red Wood, Topaz and the Pegasus. In the late
twentieth century, Tangerine actively advocated against local
masquerade policies, more commonly known as the anti-
masking laws, which would criminalize cross-dressing. These
laws were explicitly meant to target people who were a part
of the LGBTQ+ community.
68 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022
