Finocchio's featured "the worlds greatest" female impersonators, and big name celebrities such as Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Phyllis Diller, Shelley Berman and Sal Mineo came to sit ringside. Grey Line Tour buses filled the club with audiences of predominately upper-middle class-heterosexual tourists.

The celebrated club was also Mecca for many of our country's predominately closeted homosexuals. Partly this was because our impersonators were glamorous openly queer entertainers - and gay and lesbian audiences shared a sense of pride in our mainstream acceptance.

For me, Finocchio's offered the first sense of true acceptance I'd ever known. As 'Lee Shaw', drag diva, I was notable and nothing was demanded except that I look incredible - and have a modicum of talent.