Lonnie Haley, known onstage as Mercedez Munro, is a dynamic figure in the world of drag, using performance as a powerful tool for self-expression and advocacy. Through Mercedez, Haley has reclaimed personal identity while paving the way for marginalized voices in the drag scene. As a performer, house mother, and activist, Haley’s story is one of resilience and transformation, leaving a lasting legacy within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lonnie Haley, known in the drag world as Mercedez Munro, is much more than just a performer. For Haley, Drag has served as a powerful medium for self-acceptance, activism, and building a legacy. Haley’s journey into drag during the 1990s was not an easy one, particularly as a Black, queer individual navigating an industry and community still grappling with deep-seated prejudice. “The most difficult thing for me to accept was probably myself,” Haley reflects, highlighting the intense pressure of balancing personal identity with societal norms and expectations. Drag, for Haley, was not only an avenue of artistic expression, it was also a path to reclaiming power and self-worth.