Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Riffe and Mona Lotz.
Hi Michael and Mona, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised by strict Pentecostal parents from the south. They had very strong beliefs and rules as to how a family operates and what was right or wrong according to the Bible. As the majority can attest, we know our sexuality as a child, and I knew I was gay. I lived life hiding who I was and praying to be changed so I didn’t go to ‘hell’ as the church and my family thought would happen. At the age of 20, my parents found a letter from a guy that was very detailed and approached me about it. After some very strong words said by my father, words I still hear resound in my head today, they kicked me out. I went to live with my great aunt and cousin, who picked me up on the side of the street with a bag I quickly packed. They kept my car, they bought it, they kept clothes that they had bought, anything not purchased with my own money was not allowed to leave because my father was going to ‘teach me a lesson.’ I did move back home a few months later because my mother hated that fact that her only child was living somewhere else, even though she never did anything to stop her husband from kicking me out. When I was 24, I moved three hours away with my partner at the time, I told my parents that I had a job transfer. But a phone call to congratulate my cousin on a lead role in the school musical outed me because our number showed up on the caller ID. When they called, I remember the day quite well, and that was the first time I was called a faggot, by my own father.
Years later, after moving back to the area, I was encouraged by my best friend to start doing drag, and I did. I excelled at it and became well-known. When the economy died and people stopped spending money, I decided to quit performing because the expenses outweighed the profits. It wasn’t until after COVID that I came back but with a purpose, and that was to help hurting people that had experienced traumas like I had. Traumas that changed who they were, traumas that took time to overcome, and traumas that, somehow, they are thankful for because it made them who they are today. So, with that reset of coming back, the podcast Lotz of Tea was created, and the rest is history. I have even spoken and sang in churches that are affirming, and I believe 100% that I am a gay Christian man, not by the church’s standards but by mine and God’s standards.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NO! I have had adversity and protest from family, friends, and strangers. My own parents forbid me to continue, saying what I was doing was an embarrassment to their name, the same name my father had an affair for decades under. I should never proclaim to be a gay Christian because I know better; I know what they taught me and that it is wrong! Financial restraints have also been tough because it takes money to do a podcast, and I can’t simply pay it all alone. But I know one day, the sponsor of a lifetime will come across my path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a live singing female illusionist (drag queen) I have focused more on using my alter ego as a mouthpiece to speak out against the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, formed my own nonprofit which host our annual Pride festival, and began speaking to groups about the power within us to overcome traumas and hurt. One could say I’m a motivational speaker.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My strength to say what is right and to tell others when they are wrong. I don’t hold back when others say or do things that are hurtful or not politically correct, so to speak. Teaching others to love and to accept is my biggest success.
Pricing:
- performances ranges from $100-$300, depending on event
- $200 for speaking engagements like a conference or class
- I give 1 free session to talk to others about starting their own nonprofit or business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lotzproductions.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mona.lotz.33
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2f4cvs9SqFCwpQNrEF6jig
