Oral History with Muffy Blake Stephyns

In this interview, Muffy Blake Stephyns discusses his journey in becoming a member of the LGBTQ+ community–through a variety of ways. Daniel Hays–also known as drag queen Muffy Blake Stephyns, shifted to Washington, D.C. from the South. She exposes Washington D.C. as a place more prone to
divide itself amongst LGBTQ+ communities–with its own kind of favor of drag aspects. Muffy Blake Stephyns expresses her will to unite the drag world and demonstrates actions to help bring about the notion, through various forms of engagements in society. The admirable drag queen has been through a mental health journey, which has been relatable for many–helping bring about awareness in regards to related issues within communities and society as a whole. In this interview, Muffy Blake Stephyns opens up about her battle with epilepsy diagnosis, from age 14. She explains her journey since her medications suddenly stopped working for her in 2011. Along the way, Stephyns has been chosen to be treasurer, fundraiser, president, board member and much more for a multitude of organizations, such as: the
Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, the White House established the first Interagency Working Group on Safety, Opportunity, and Inclusion for Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals, and so on. Muffy Blake Stephyns highlights that “giving back gives you a lot more in the end” and that we need to lift each other up everyday–and always understand that “it is okay to not be okay”. She strives to ultimately help bring about positive changes through initiatives with numerous LGBTQ+, mental health, epilepsy, and other related foundations and organizations.

No, not yet transcribed

Yes, recording available, 01:48:14
(audio .m4a, 51 MB)