Best of KC 2025: Melinda Ryder’s half-century center-stage
Photo by Sophia Lail
Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we thought clearly won 2025. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November.
When it comes to drag, some could argue that Melinda Ryder has been the best for 50 years. Since the late ‘70s, she has absolutely dominated the scene, winning Miss Gay Missouri 1979, Miss Gay Kansas City America 1982, Miss Gay Missouri America 1984, and 2nd Alternate to Miss Gay America 1985.
Bruce Winter—the person behind the Melinda Ryder personality—made his way to Kansas City from St. Louis in 1975, set up shop, and never left. To this day, Winter can still be seen as Ryder around town, most recently featured at The Museum of Kansas City, showcasing the exhibit, Arrive As A Star. Leave As A Star, which is on display through February of next year. How lucky are we?
What is truly mesmerising about Ryder’s legacy is that it never diminished, coming on 50 whole years still completely intact. The same cannot be said about most drag pioneers, as there has been a drive to mass erase queer existence from the country’s historical documentation. Fortunately, Ryder never fell victim to this blatant eradication. That resistance can be partially attributed to the City of Kansas City.
Individuals within our cherished Midwest metropolis noticed the disparity when it comes to historical queer representation and have worked to ensure that records remain. While The Museum of Kansas City is the organization that spearheaded this for Ryder, the city as a whole continuously works to transparently portray drag in the community.
Currently, Ryder is working on a documentary with director John Crite, titled Melinda Ryder; Still Here, further highlighting her decades’ worth of work and significance within Kansas City’s queer scene. Melinda Ryder is truly one of one. And her impact on the city will last forever.
Click below to read the November Best Of 2025 Issue of The Pitch Magazine:
