Ms Penny Cost
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (UM News) — Isaac Simmons came upon the idea of merging drag and spirituality through an unlikely source: 20th century Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin. “He thought the best way to enact systemic change was through joy and carnival … and drag is over the top and joyous,” said Simmons, who in March 2021 became the first openly gay candidate to be certified for ministry in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church. He preached as his drag persona, Ms. Penny Cost, on Pentecost Sunday in May. Video story by Joey Butler and Mike DuBose.