Anchorage Daily News – Beth Bragg
Even in death, Misty Dawn was the portrait of a lady.
Gregory Andrews fixed her hair and makeup the way he’d done twice a week for more than 10 years. Paula Buttner bought her a pretty new blouse and picked out glittery jewelry. The undertaker took pains to support her ample bosom.
Making that bosom look in death the way it did in life was important, because it was such an important part of Misty Dawn.
Believed to be one of the first transgender people in Alaska, Misty Dawn came to Anchorage in the mid-’70s with a burlesque show. She liked it so much she moved here, and for almost 30 years she made her mark as an entertainer, cocktail waitress, role model and icon.
Her death in March from a stroke rocked the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, which on Saturday will bid a final farewell to the woman who touched many by living on her own terms.
And yes, she was a woman — a woman born into a man’s body. But she left that man, Michael Espinoza, far in her past, replacing him legally with Misty Dawn Espinoza, who was very much the lady, whether performing onstage, playing bingo or shopping for groceries. She had hormone therapy and breast surgery but stopped short of a complete sex change.