As an activist she has helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for countless charities both on stage and behind the scenes as an chairperson, producer, event planner and board member for different non-profits and social groups. She also produced "Bars Give Back" a city wide fundraiser for the Children's Aid Society that raised over $10,000 for the victims of New York City after 9/11.
In 2010, partnering with Neighbours Nightclub and the Seattle Gay News, Gaysha founded "Gaysha Starr Presents". Under this production name she led fundraising efforts for GLSEN WA- The Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Education, Network of Washington, raising over $10,000 in one year thru drag shows and pageants, and producing a 2011 Men of Neighbours Calendar.
In 2011, Gaysha has shifted her fundraising efforts to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program- to help protect GLBTQ youth from anti-bullying. She was voted president of the Asian Pacific Islander Council, a social group that empowers and supports GLBTQ Asian Pacific Islanders and also raises monies for various charities.
Most recently Gaysha has been a hostess/emcee for some of Seattle's largest events, including the Lifelong AIDS Alliance Gay Bingo from 2008-2010, the Red Dress Party 2010 and 2011, Bat N Rouge 2011, The Capitol Hill Pride Festival Main Stage 2011. She also became the lead hostess for Seattle Out and Proud in 2011- hosting their Pride Idol Singing Contest, The Pride Picnic, Pride Pin Launch at the Hard Rock Cafe and also was a co-hostess of the Pride Parade.
Gaysha also was elevated to the special events hostess at Neighbours Nightclub hosting Gay Pride, Halloween, and the New Year's Eve Countdown and opening for International Recording Artists like Thea Austin, Frenchie Davis, Blake Lewis and Kristine W.
"Thank you so much for visiting www.gayshastarr.com. After all of these years I am so lucky and humbled to be able to be a part Seattle's GLBTQ community. Thank you for letting me entertain you, please make sure to join me on facebook and say hello the next time our paths cross! "
"Gaysha Starr embodies all things Diva; as one of Seattle's premiere drag queens she reigns supreme as Miss Starr has appeared in everything from Gay Bingo and Red Dress Party to hosting the 2011 Pride Parade and gay cruise events. More than just a pretty face, Gaysha Starr is an outspoken community advocate and fundraiser proving that there is compassion behind the makeup and joy in all things LGBT. There's no doubt about it: There's no star brighter than Gaysha Starr."
Shaun Knittel, Seattle Gay News Associate Editor, August 2011
"Simply put, she is my star!"
Steve Tracy, General Manager of Neighbours Nightclub
"Gaysha Starr is an icon among Seattle drag performers. Visible, vocal and active within the gay
community"
D. Parvaz, Seattle PI, November 15, 2003
"The glamour girl performs diva tunes and hosts lip-sync contests at Neighbours, a longtime Capitol Hill gay bar. In her long black wigs, sparkling skin-tight gowns and towering platform mules, Gaysha has shaken her moneymaker for many a good cause. She's prettier than the average queen and that's meant more cash for charity. As the 1999 Empress of the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle, an annual pageant, her court raised about $23,000 for gay organizations - $10,000 of which will go to student scholarships."
Paysha Stockton, Seattle Times, June 25, 2000
"Alex’s fake eyelashes were falling off, and, in our rush, we’d forgotten to pack the eyelash glue. We wandered around looking for other girls wearing fake eyelashes and asked them if they’d brought glue, but no one had. At last, we spotted a drag queen performing with the Movin 92.5 van. “She will have eyelash glue!” I announced. We went up and asked her after her set, and she was like, “Yes of COURSE I do!” and she ran into the van and let us borrow it. She turned out to be Gaysha Starr, an icon on the Seattle drag scene."
The Evil Beet Blog, April 10, 2009.
"The Court of Seattle, in a city governed under a constitutional democracy, crowned an empress named Gaysha Starr last February. Adorned in hard-to-find gowns dresses and a wardrobe Imelda Marcos could envy, she intends to rule with responsibility and set a good example for her people. She is Filipina American. At 5'11" with heels and tall, perfectly coifed hair, Starr is capable of commanding authority and respect. What makes Starr unique is that she is gay. And in actuality, she is a he, a man in drag."
Leroy Chin, International Examiner, April 7, 1999
"I have known Gaysha Starr for about 7 years now. I have always been one of her many fans and really love and appreciate everything she has done for the LGBT community in the King County area. Recently I had the opportunity to work with Gaysha and the minute I asked her to participate in performing at Caliente, which is a Latino night that I host on Fridays, with no doubts she said yes to it which I absolutely respect and appreciated that very much.
"Gaysha Starr is an absolute delight to work with. The commensurate professional, Gaysha puts me at ease knowing that when she has hold of the mic, she has hold of the audience, and everyone has a great time. I also truly appreciate Gaysha's dedication to Lifelong's cause, and look forward to working with her for years to come."
Maura Smith, Event Coordinator for Lifelong AIDS Alliance
