The Diary of Menorah Horwitz

From the creator of Miss U.S. of Heya comes a true story about gender, Judaism, and gel nail polish.

Michael Horwitz, a shy 29 year-old gay illustrator, combines Judaism and a love of drag in all the wrong ways when he becomes Menorah, Portland’s premiere Anne Frank impersonator. Dressed in a puke colored school-girl’s uniform, stripper heels, and nails made from burning candles taped to his fingers, Michael explores Portland’s queer and punk party scene, one bad lip synch at a time. He falls in with drug happy club kids, hot tempered local divas, and some of the world’s most famous drag queens (sometimes disastrously)?all while waking up at 6 am the next morning to bag groceries. But not everyone is happy with Michael’s new alter ego, specifically his very supportive family. Michael’s creative detour takes a detour of its own when he realizes that Menorah isn’t a persona but a suggestion of the person he’s always wanted to be. What began as an imitation of someone famous for speaking their truth becomes a transition into his?or rather her?authentic self.

• An autobiographical comedy about finding your authentic self in the artificial world of drag.
• A first person account of gender transitioning.
• An exploration of traditional Jewish identity intersecting with new gender norms.

Menorah Horwitz is the drag alter ego of Portland based artist Michael Horwitz. His work has been featured in PDX Contemporary Art, PICA’s Time Based Arts Festival, Disjecta, and Linework NW. In 2015 he was named ＂A Queer to Watch ＂ by Advocate.com.