Who Met Dolly at the Pearly Gates?

 

If we imagine heaven through a lens of love, inclusion, and queer joy, I can picture Dolly being greeted by a joyful crowd of LGBTQIA+ people and allies whose lives she touched. And those whose lives represent the values she has championed.

A few people I could imagine near the front of that line:

• Freddie Mercury — would probably greet her with a huge smile, saying, “Well, darling, we’ve been waiting for you!”
• Betty White - Because Betty and Dolly had a lot of love in their lives and could compare earthly notes.
• Judy Garland — because honestly, Dolly and Judy greeting each other feels almost inevitable. 
• George Michael — another extraordinary musician whose life and identity resonated deeply with LGBTQIA+ people. He would be singing and dancing when he saw her.
• Harvey Milk — welcoming her with a warm embrace and perhaps reminding her how many people found courage to live authentically.
• Marsha P. Johnson — bringing that unmistakable joy, activism, and fierce spirit.
• Jesus - He would make her some heavenly tasting cornbread and tell her how proud he was of how she loved everyone. 
• Matthew Shepard — He would greet her with youthful exuberance and be there representing the countless young people whose lives were cut short because they were LGBTQIA+ telling her how many lives she saved by being her.
• Alan Turing — perhaps standing quietly gratefuly greeting her to thank her for a world that she helped make a little kinder.
• Sylvia Rivera — would be absolutely making sure Dolly knew that the most marginalized members of the community were included in the celebration.
• And then, perhaps, an enormous crowd of ordinary LGBTQIA+ people and allies—teachers, parents, artists, pastors, activists, children, grandparents, and everyone who ever found a little more courage because Dolly reminded them that they mattered.

And I have a feeling Dolly wouldn't be standing there receiving all the attention. She'd probably look at the crowd, laugh that beautiful laugh, and say something like:

"Well, look at all of you! I thought I was coming to heaven, but it looks like heaven came to greet me."