Stephanie Yellowhair
Stephanie Yellowhair (December 13, 1976 – March 30, 2018) was a Navajo transgender activist who inspired the use of the slogan "Excuse My Beauty" while appearing on an episode of Cops in the early 2000s.
Stephanie Yellowhair | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | March 30, 2018 41) | (aged
Nationality | Navajo |
Notable work | "Excuse My Beauty" |
Biography
Stephanie Yellowhair was born in 1976 to Shirley and Skeet Yellowhair Sr, in Fort Defiance, Arizona.[1] She was a member of the Táchii’nii and Zuni clans. She graduated from Window Rock High School and attended Cosmetology Academy for a degree.[1] She was arrested on an episode of Cops for being a "public nuisance," and was arrested again in August 2011 for DUI.[2][3] On March 30, 2018, Yellowhair died of chronic illness at the age of 41.[4]
In popular culture
The phrase "Excuse My Beauty," has appeared several times in Rupaul's Drag Race,[5] Latrice Royale released a song at a Drag Convention in Los Angeles 2018, called “eXcuse the beauty.” Royale said the song was inspired and written in homage to Yellowhair, who had "just passed away."[6] Her confrontation with the police also inspired a scene from Comedy Central's Reno 911!.[2]
References
- "Stephanie Yellowhair". Navajo Times. Window Rock, Arizona. April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- Leavell, Jeff (6 April 2018). "The Death of Stephanie Yellowhair and the Resilience of the Queer Spirit". www.vice.com. Vice News. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- K, Michael (25 April 2012). "The Return of Excuse My Beauty!". dlisted.com. Dlisted. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- Davis, Andrew (10 April 2018). "Anchorage vote, eighth trans murder, Grindr apology". www.windycitymediagroup.com. Windy City Times. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- Drushel, Bruce E. (2017). Sontag and the Camp Aesthetic: Advancing New Perspectives. Lexington Books. p. xii. ISBN 978-1498537773.
- Horbelt, Stephen (24 April 2018). "Latrice Royale and Epiphany Are About to Drop a Brand-New Track for the Ballroom Crowd". hornet.com. Hornet. Retrieved 14 April 2019.