Long before drag reached the mainstream, a Geraldo Rivera's daytime talk show put drag queens on a national stage. March 1st, 1993.

The studio audience didn't know that at first. What starts as a glamorous designer showcase becomes a lively, sometimes heated conversation about gender, beauty and who gets to wear the dress. Three groups of drag queen models walk in tp looks from designers Betsy Gonzalez and Colin Baer.

Along the way they share how they got into modeling, what their families thought, and why they say they "walk better, with more attitude" than anyone else on the runway.Holly Woodlawn, the Andy Warhol superstar immortalized in Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" and author of A Low Life in High Heels, puts the moment in historical context. In her words: "we've come a long way, sweetie."

Fashion editor Constance White explains why designers put drag queen models in their shows, and illustrator Alvaro shows the artwork he's made for Italian Vogue and designers around the world. Female model Lisa gives her view on competing with male models on the runway.Then the debate turns up.

Former Mrs. Michigan Mary DiGiulio calls in to challenge the designers, audience members push back from all sides, and the models answer for themselves. The result is a candid time capsule of LGBTQ visibility, drag culture and fashion history in 90s talk show television.Archival 1990s talk show presented for historical and educational purposes. Terminology and some audience views reflect the era.

Guests in this episode:
Holly Woodlawn - Andy Warhol superstar, author of A Low Life in High Heels
Betsy Gonzalez - fashion designer
Colin Baer - fashion designer
Constance White - fashion editor
Alvaro - fashion illustrator (Italian Vogue, U Magazine)
Lisa - fashion model
Mary DiGiulio - former Mrs. Michigan (caller)
Runway models: Jem Gender, Paris, Angene, Cash, Girlina, Coco, Blue Lamour, Shakita, Onyx, The Baroness, Joey Arias, Ulrich

Chapters:
00:00 - Cold open: the models' runway secret
01:26 - First runway walk: Angene, Cash, Paris and Jem
04:11 - The reveal and audience reaction
04:54 - Holly Woodlawn on how far drag has come
06:38 - How the models got into fashion
08:05 - Audience pushback and everyday life off the runway
09:11 - Designer Betsy Gonzalez on why she casts drag models
11:51 - Origin stories, partners and prep time
13:21 - Family reactions: Holly and Jem
14:37 - Designer Colin Baer and editor Constance White
16:56 - Second runway walk: Girlina, Coco, Blue and Shakita
21:39 - Illustrator Alvaro's fashion artwork
23:00 - Third runway walk: Onyx, The Baroness, Joey and Ulrich
25:52 - Models' personal stories and custom designs
31:32 - Holly's book A Low Life in High Heels
33:25 - Former Mrs. Michigan calls in and Betsy responds
35:14 - Is fashion getting conservative? Constance White and Lisa
36:46 - Alvaro's gift to Geraldo
38:41 - Heated audience debate
41:20 - Final thoughts and sign-off

This day, Geraldo's Television History.

Tune in for the full drag queens as they do full runway walks later in the show...

They're real, they're all natural, and she's a typist. Only problem is, can't quite get to all the good places...1995