Linda Simpson is a New York–based writer, photographer, and drag performer who has been documenting queer nightlife since the late 1980s. She is best known for The Drag Explosion, an acclaimed photo archive capturing the vibrant downtown drag scene of the 1980s and ’90s, featuring early images of icons such as RuPaul and Lady Bunny. Beyond her photography, Simpson has produced zines, hosted legendary club nights, and written plays, cementing her role as both participant and chronicler of LGBTQ+ culture in New York.
Les Simpson/Linda Simpson
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In Linda’s apartment -
Page at the Central Park Zoo -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
At the Gay Pride Rally at Union Square -
Before the Gay Pride Parade -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
In Linda’s Apartment -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
In Linda’s apartment -
Go-go dancing at the Pyramid Club’s “Channel 69” party -
In Linda’s apartment -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
At the closing night of “Channel 69” -
At the Show Palace’s “Big Top Follies” party -
At taping for cable TV show Party Talk -
At a party for My Comrade Magazine -
Performing at the club night “Jackie 60” -
In the East Village -
On the street -
On East 13th Street -
In the basement of Mother nightclub -
Performing at Mother nightclub -
Performing at Flamingo East’s “Salon” party -
On The Street -
In Page’s Apartment -
Linda and Page in Tompkins Square Park After Wigstock -
Performing at Flamingo East’s “Salon” party -
Designers and models at a fashion show at Danceteria nightclub -
Maurice and friend in the Palladium nightclub basement, designed by Kenny Scharf -
Tim, Gene, Bobby, and Thom -
Luisa, Theresa, and Wendy at fashion show at Danceteria nightclub -
George, David, and James at “My Comrade” magazine rooftop party
-
In Linda’s apartment -
Page at the Central Park Zoo -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
At the Gay Pride Rally at Union Square -
Before the Gay Pride Parade -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
In Linda’s Apartment -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
In Linda’s apartment -
Go-go dancing at the Pyramid Club’s “Channel 69” party -
In Linda’s apartment -
In the Pyramid Club dressing room -
At the closing night of “Channel 69” -
At the Show Palace’s “Big Top Follies” party -
At taping for cable TV show Party Talk -
At a party for My Comrade Magazine -
Performing at the club night “Jackie 60” -
In the East Village -
On the street -
On East 13th Street -
In the basement of Mother nightclub -
Performing at Mother nightclub -
Performing at Flamingo East’s “Salon” party -
On The Street -
In Page’s Apartment -
Linda and Page in Tompkins Square Park After Wigstock -
Performing at Flamingo East’s “Salon” party -
Designers and models at a fashion show at Danceteria nightclub -
Maurice and friend in the Palladium nightclub basement, designed by Kenny Scharf -
Tim, Gene, Bobby, and Thom -
Luisa, Theresa, and Wendy at fashion show at Danceteria nightclub -
George, David, and James at “My Comrade” magazine rooftop party
