He therefore sees it as a victory that in 2004 he is able to produce an event featuring drag queens at the City Hall theatre. On Sunday, Sybil's Sizzling Shooting Stars, an evening of song, dance and comedy, will take to the stage for two performances.

"Twenty-two years ago, I was arrested for dressing in drag in Bermuda," he explained. "I was wearing women's clothes in public. I guess I was a little too ultimate for that time, I don't know.

"There was a lot of ignorance back then. I was never convicted but that was one of the hardest things I had to deal with as an entertainer. However, I learned from it and that's what gave me the inspiration to move abroad and pursue my career.

"I'm going down in history by doing this. For the longest time the gay community was unable to have shows (at City Hall) because of prejudice. For years, the shows were always performed at Clay House Inn.

"As you know, Clay House is no longer. The last show that I did was in 1999. Fortunately, I was able to finally break ground this year and got City Hall. So this will be the first show and I hope they will continue."

Sunday's event will feature nine performers from Bermuda, Chicago, New York and Florida, impersonating women in song, dance and comedy. But what will be most evident that night is the superb entertainment, Sybil said.

"The show features female impersonators but it's more about them expressing themselves than about their sexual orientation.

"It's all about the art of entertainment. People fail to realise that the people we're impersonating are fabulous women who have already performed the songs that we're singing.

"What I ask is that people come to the show with an open mind. Whatever negativity you have, leave it at the door. Come to enjoy yourself. It's going to be a professional show. There will be comedy. There will be dancing. It will be very much like Las Vegas. Very much like Atlantic City. Just like many places that have female impersonators."

Sybil began performing in drag 23 years ago and has since made a career of it.

"Years ago I used to work in the bank. I worked at the Southampton Princess. I used to dress in drag, but at that time I would only do so around Halloween; at a party or something.

"It wasn't until I went to the States and went to see a show. When I saw a lot of the impersonators performing and realised that was what they did for a living, I thought: 'I could do that'. I knew that it was a career I could do.

"I've been performing in drag, professionally, for 13 years here and in the States. I love it. I'm my own boss. I'm doing something I love to do. I work when I want to. I don't have to answer to anybody. People are more aware all over the world about drag queens today.

"Bermuda is still very much homophobic but the gay and lesbian community is starting to 'come out'. People are more accepting. Look at the entertainment industry ? gays and lesbians pretty much rule Hollywood. Most people know that but choose to turn a blind eye."

Sybil's Sizzling Shooting Stars will perform at the City Hall theatre, Sunday, at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 and available at Kim-Kita's Beauty Salon at 86 Church Street, located across from Bermuda Motors. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, for $40.