Deborah L.
Ask Deborah L. how long she has lived in Ohio, and the answer will be a proud 30 years. She was, in fact, born in Ohio, just not exactly raised here.
Deborah L. spent the first few years of her life in Athens, Ohio, surrounded by family. Moving to Columbus the summer before seventh grade, she knew it wouldn’t necessarily last long—soon enough, she was pulled all the way to Miami, Florida, where she would experience the ride of her life.
Just managing to navigate her tumultuous teens and twenties, Deborah says she really started living life when she turned thirty.
Between her multiple connections to designers, drag queens and models, Deborah’s years in Miami were filled with nightlife, modeling, and flair; and soon enough, she found herself in the center of it all.
She started with simple shoe modeling, showcasing one of the best brands of the time in Miami: “it was like a Jimmy Choo.” Soon enough, she got the chance to move into full body shots. “I had a friend who was from California, and he was a designer,” she said. “So he would always ask me if I would wear his clothes and model in his shows.”
Deborah didn’t just collect clothes from designers, though. She also began to trade items back and forth with her many drag queen friends, taking anything and everything she could find. From skirts that didn’t fit her drag queen friends to dresses that were just “too much,” she wore her clothes with pride. “They were so over the top and I’m so over the top,” she said.
There’s no question that Deborah has danced through life—in the finest clothing, mind you. No matter her position—cocktail waitress, jewelry salesperson, etc.—, she landed odd jobs that never failed to keep her entertained.
Even coming back to Ohio, where she ended up taking care of her grandparents, she kept hold of her spirit.
One of the first things she did in Columbus was to search for the most Miami-like bar she could find. “I ended up finding The Garage, which was downtown. It was the closest thing to a bar in Miami; it was big with all these different [rooms],” she said.
Now, Deborah has been back in Columbus for years, living a life full of love and showmanship. Stop by her apartment and you will be happily greeted by none other than Sza Sza Gabor—Deborah’s beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Run into her around town and she’ll be sure to show you the best bars, thrift stores, and jewelry shops in the city.
Deborah said she doesn’t quite remember when she joined At Home by High, but that it doesn’t really matter in the end, though it was certainly many years ago. What really matters is that she met Katie Beaumont, AHBH’s Executive Director, who has helped her and so many other members tremendously.
From AHBH’s weekly coffee meet-ups to full photoshoots with other members, Deborah is ready for anything. Surely, this hearkens back to her days in Miami; she lives life with luster and shine, not willing to slow down for anyone.
She said that “just spending time with Katie,” and all of AHBH’s other members, of course, is her favorite thing about the organization. “Tell them I’m a social butterfly,” Deborah said about her member profile, mere minutes after captivating an entire room full of people at our weekly coffee meet-up.
She has managed to form social connections, and also deep, emotional ties through AHBH: “Katie took me to put my dog to sleep. And then Morgan (AHBH’s previous Service Coordinator) took me to get my puppy. That first day, I brought her [to a coffee meet-up] in my purse—Katie didn’t even notice at first, she was so small.”
Whether it’s the more exciting moments, or even when she needs a shoulder to cry on, Deborah L. knows that she can always count on AHBH. We are incredibly grateful to have met her and look forward to many more amazing years.