I took some time before this current administration to talk with one of the Co-Founders of Ravyn Entertainment, Brian Maulana-Ponce, to get his insight on his experience as a LGBTQ activist and businessman in the heart of Wisconsin—a glimpse into how he was raised and what influenced him to lead the life he does and the fears that were of high expections going into the most recent presidential election that won Donald Trump another term.
On a personal note, I have known and volunteered as a member of Ravyn Entertainment on a greater end of the deal, working with them from 2008-2018 as a stage manager, performer, and personal assistant for many queens, while momentarily stepping in as co-owner and co-promoter for Northern Star All-American Goddess, @ Large, and Gent. In 2017, we won Business Person of the Year. Now I share you a little insight of what has been going through our heads for 2024 and 2025.
- Could you share some of your background to give the readers an insight into your life and your role in the LGBTQ community?
I’m a half-Latino queer man in my late 40s who has been an activist in the community since I was 18. I joined OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center when it was called The United, where I enthusiastically worked at events and helped create a sense of belonging among community members. In 2005, I became their Graphics Consultant, utilizing my design skills to promote various initiatives. In 2010, I transitioned to a full-time role as their Publication Director. My role has changed over the years, and I now serve in an expanded capacity as the Media and IT Director, overseeing digital outreach and technological advancements that help the center thrive.
Though these are my titles, I have been involved in many different aspects of the
center and have served in most of the roles at the non-profit for a variety of reasons, truly believing in the mission of support, empowerment, and advocacy. I have worked closely with unhoused LGBT clients to find shelter and resources, trained new staff and volunteers, served on several committees, and played a key part in increasing the diversity of our staff, volunteers, and programming that exists at OutReach to this day, ensuring our services are inclusive and representative of the community we serve.
Outside of OutReach, I have been on the Board of Directors as Entertainment Director for various Pride organizations over the past 20 years, where I helped organize events that celebrate our identities was
instrumental in the creation of Pride organizations in Rock County and Beaver Dam, and served in advisory roles to other LGBTQ+ based organizations in Wisconsin, always aiming to bridge gaps and foster collaborations.
As the founder of Ravyn Entertainment, I have worked in the mainstream and
LGBTQ+ Nightlife Community for nearly two decades, passionately connecting with businesses,
organizations, non-profits, and individual performers to develop new avenues
and levels of entertainment in Wisconsin and beyond. Ravyn Entertainment has
grown to be the Midwest’s Largest LGBTQ+ Performance and Production group, offering platforms for diverse voices and talents to shine.
We are responsible for finding sources for the founder of Wisconsin’s only
LGBTQ Magazine – Our Lives and have supported the founder of Madison Gay Hockey (a
nationally recognized Gay sports league) in launching his groundbreaking projects.
Many entertainers in the community have been a part of or grown in our ranks,
gaining valuable insights and learning their business and professional skills from us, which has allowed them to flourish in their careers. Our first protégé became the co-owner of Ravyn Entertainment, our second served in that role, and another joined the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race, showcasing the level of talent nurtured through our efforts.
Being a part of Ravyn isn’t just about bookings and who you meet – it’s also
about being an integral member of your community, growing new avenues of talent,
and encouraging the next generation of activists. One of our own, Kenya J. Sanchez, has
become a powerhouse in the Chicago LGBTQ scene as a mentor to several Queer and Trans People of Color, demonstrating the impact of shared learning and growth, and continues to inspire as an activist within the LGBTQ community, proving that our collective efforts can lead to meaningful change.
2. How did you come to be a resident of Madison, Wisconsin?
In 1994, I chose to live part-time in Madison and attended what is now Madison College, as well as taking classes at the UW for Marketing (eventually earning a Master’s, with an emphasis on advertising. I have lived off and on in the city but have resided permanently since 2011.
3. What made you decide to start the company with Co-founder Alexis in 2005?
I had become the entertainer known as “Ravyn” at a younger age as well as touring nationally when not in school, but “retired” that persona to help care for my
family and nephews.
While working at OutReach, I met a young queen that was not able to get her
foot in the door at different venues because the “old guard” did not want to
promote anyone that they didn’t approve of and did their best to “squash” anyone
that did not fit what they wanted on stage and feared that younger entertainers
would replace them so “molding” new talent was not something they wished to
do.
Using my “retired” contacts and business know-how, combined with Alexis.
burgeoning talent and marketing skills, we forged a new legacy of talent and
entertainment whose main goal was to help nurture young talent and find legacy
entertainers who were willing to share their knowledge with said talent, all while
creating shows that no one has ever tried before in many years. In August of 2005, Ravyn Entertainment’s first incarnation – Lexi Ravyn Productions was born.
4. What examples can you provide that you have experienced or witnessed
in your lifetime, with the changes in the acceptance of the LGBTQ community
since the movement started in 1969?
Even as a small child in the 80’s, I knew I was different and witnessed the horrific
treatment of the LGBT community during the AIDS crisis struck a nerve with me.
Like, there was some small part of me that knew this was something that I would
have to deal with in my future. Maybe not the virus, but more so the community it
was affecting the most at that time.
For every year I have been involved in the community I have seen great strides
made in marriage, equal rights, and protections for the community but I have also
seen the mainstream make our community take two steps back. Especially in
recent years.
And while major laws are out there protecting the LGB members of our
community, our Trans siblings have not been so lucky. Most historians will note
that the Trans community is at least 30 years behind in the movement as compared
to those who identify themselves as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual. And while that may be true,
it does not take away from the current Far Right’s move to virtually try to destroy our very
existence here in the United States, while other countries sentence us to jail or death.
But being a part of this community has taught me about resilience and finding
your own voice from within, and not giving up. Our community has faced this for
almost as long as we existed and didn’t matter whether it was Oscar Wilde
proclaiming what he was at the cost of his freedom or it was the members of ACT
UP shouting “Silence Equals Death” – our community has never just gone quietly
into the night. Something our oppressors seem to forget.
5. Do you remember the first experience you had that helped direct you to your
articulate activism toward the community? Was it a negative or a positive
experience?
Activism is in my roots. Whether it was my mother working for State to secure the
rights of Migrant workers or my father being a voice to the Latin community who
felt they had none, my almost NEED to help others was born into me.
As I said before, I knew what I was long before I had the words to say what I was and I did as much research as I could as a teenager in the 90s. But my reasons to combat bigotry could be found in the firsthand bigotry I would witness my parents would experience as a mixed-race couple, how I was treated in society for being mixed-race, the indignities my father was forced to deal with sometimes – fighting bigotry, in whatever its form, was going to be something I was going to be a part of it for the long haul.
6. Who or what keeps you going to keep fighting and providing safe spaces for the
community?
There are a few reasons for this but one that comes to mind when the second
George Bush was elected to office. I was ready to leave this country. My inner
fighter was just having the hardest times to find its resilience but a friend of mine
had had said something that sparked my energy again – “If we all leave, who’s
left to fight?” So, I get up, no matter how hard some says are, and fight until the
next day, the day after that, and so on. My fears of the future sometimes can be
overwhelming but it’s that undying hope for something better giving to me by my
parents that’s eternal. Sometimes it just takes one small thing to turn the tide and
I want to be here when it does.
7. During Obama’s presidency, there was a lot of progressive change for the
LGBTQ community, from the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the legalization of
same-sex marriage. What more can we do as a nation to maintain an inclusive
approach to our citizens?
Make sure we are not just paying attention to the national elections but the
smaller state and local elections. The Far Right was able to build their power
over time because they started overtaking the smallest governmental seats until
they had control of whole districts. The President of the United States, the
Governor of Wisconsin, and the mayors of your cities only have so much power –
and if they lack power in the Congress, the Judicial systems, or police forces –
things they want to happen to better the lives of the people they govern will be for
nothing. We need to start paying attention to who we are electing to school
boards – hell, even who are local comptrollers are. We need to see beyond
social media and what’s really happening around us.
8. The biggest current event that has approached my creation of this interview is
President Joe Biden’s step down from his re-election campaign. What emotions
surfaced when you approached the announcement?
To be honest, I was never impressed with Biden. I think he tried and I think he did
some good, but I also think he lacked the “oomph” the GOP created in their
candidate and there is going to have to be someone of equal “oomph” to get
people excited to vote again. It made me a little nervous when he pulled out but I
felt this resurgence of ebergy happen around me when Kamala was chosen –
even though she has her own separate issues.
9. Do you think the nation can make history for the first LGBTQ President or Vice
President before the end of our lifetime? Why or why not?
I would hope that we would. Unfortunately we live in a very misogynistic society
and its going to take those who hold women in less regard to chuck their beliefs
and see someone who has better talent than someone else – not base it on what
gender they happen to be.
10. One of your most significant accomplishments on a local level is co-founding and
co-owning Ravyn Entertainment for almost two decades. When it started, it was a
simple drag and entertainment troupe, but then it grew to a whole production
team based on your clients’ various needs. What is the critical ingredient for
longevity with you and the remaining members?
Re-invention. Not to be a gay stereotype but how can you explain the careers of
Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Kylie Minogue, and Madonna? They knew how
and when to re-invent themselves and knew what it takes to stay present in the
world – no matter what decade they were in.
Sometimes you have to try new things, or learn a new skill, expand a service,
learn more about how something works – and rebuild, rebrand, recreate, re-
invent. Stay relevant, stay focused, and be aware of what your competitors are
doing – but keep your eyes on your goal – not theirs.