It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with iconic New York City trans drag performer Peppermint in this very affectionate warts-and-all documentary A DEEPER LOVE from filmmaker Oriel Pe’er This is not just her life story but a brilliant snapshot of the struggles for trans visibility in the current moment. 

She’s been living in her Harlem apartment for the past 17 years, when filming for the doc started some 10 years ago, and she was making ends meet by performing her drag shows. It’s a meager living as the bookings were not as good as they used to be, plus she has to walk home late at night in what can be a tough neighborhood.    However, from the very first clip, you are hit by her infectious humor and her zest for life, which never ever disappear even when the going gets tough.

She has two major ambitions. To pay for the surgery to complete the physical side of her transitioning, and to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race.  She has tried to get an audition for the latter for some years, spending a great deal of money to submit her applications.  In passing, she mentions that there has been no trans person on the show over all the many years, and although Peppermint doesn’t comment, it seems obvious to us qhy they have never had a trans person on.  Always in the background is the reality that the Show is purely about making money for the franchise and not at all about supporting any queer rights at all.

In fact when Pepperment is accepted as the first (token?) trans queen she chooses to deal with all their many rules and not focus on the shows morality and concentrate on making her time in the competiton as successful as possible. And lucratuve too, as she has spent an absolute fortune on outfits and wigs, just for these TV appearances,

Fame ….. she was first Runner Up….. brings her success, but she quickly realises, it still doesn’t give her security.  Whilst she revels in flying around the US to do personal appearances and is now recognized on the street, she still has money worries.  Peppermint seems to have ceaseless energy and is conscious that she should get as much out of her moment in the spotlight whilst it lasts.  She has put the idea of a romance on the back burner for several reasons, which she would like, but is determined that it shouldn’t be the be and end-all of life 

Peppermint is extremely likable, which is evident in her tight circle of close friends that include other trans women such as Laverne Cox and MG Rodriguez. Also, the winner of Drag Race that season is Sasha Velour and the two became close like sisters.

And then, right in the middle of all this activity that the world comes to a halt because of the COVID pandemic. Like everybody else, Peppermint’s life is on hold, and for months, she never leaves her apartment,

But Oril Pe’er, the filmmaker, finishes the film after all this and on such a high note, Peppermint is now a working actor who wants to get back to  Broadway again.  Since she was the first trans drag queen on Drag Race, another 30 have since followed her.  After founding Black Queer Town Hall with Bob the Drag Queen, she was asked to join the national Board of Directors of GLAAD. She serves as ACLU first Ambassador for Trans Justice. She continues to challenge transphobia in the media and politics by speaking truth to power,

Miami Beach, FL / Provincetown, MA    Member of G.A.L.E.C.A. (Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association) and NLGJA The Association of LGBT Journalists. and The Online Film Critics Society. Ex Contributing Editor The Gay Uk & Contributor Edge Media Former CEO and Menswear Designer of  Roger Dack Ltd in the UK