At his home in Oak Bluffs Tim McNerney laundered his standard issue brown shorts and shirt combo, his daily uniform for his job as a supervisor at UPS.
At the same time Reina Del Taco looked out over a possibility of flowing dresses, sequins, a red power suit or a floral blouse, all potential uniforms for reading at library story hours around the Island.
“Oh, I love the idea of some gingham” said Mr. McNerney, who is also Reina Del Taco. He spotted a forgotten fishing pole resting against the laundry machine. “And that fishing pole. Yes, a little country Vineyard look for Reina. Perfect.”
And, it turns out, perfect for teaching about diversity and acceptance at Island libraries.
“The more open we are to difference, the easier we make it for people to be themselves,” said Mr. McNerney. “By being Reina and by reading these books, I open up the space for people to be who they want to be, and I don’t take anything away from anybody.”
Like many on the Island, Edgartown Library director Lisa Sherman first saw Tim as just an affable UPS delivery guy.
“He’d deliver our packages and chat,” said Ms. Sherman.
Then she heard about Reina.
“Tim mentioned drag queen story hours and told me about Reina. I’d read about the events happening at public libraries in Brooklyn, in San Francisco, all over. I thought, this is a fantastic way to talk to kids about inclusion and a lot more.”
With research and the help of librarians Islandwide, Mr. McNerney assembled a read-aloud curriculum to present as Reina Del Taco. The books centered around inclusion, being different, love, tolerance and acceptance. Ms. Del Taco favors books with strong female leads, and books about adoption or alternative family structures.
Recently retired West Tisbury children’s librarian Nelia Decker proved to be a great resource.
“Nelia is my biggest resource and fan,” said Mr. McNerney. “I love her so much. She’s so smart and knows so much about curriculum building, age and development. She is just so knowledgeable.”
In the summer of 2017, Reina Del Taco hosted two hourlong storytimes at the West Tisbury and Vineyard Haven libraries. For the next two summers she did events throughout the summer and fall. The book lists keep growing and getting more diverse.
After a recent story hour in West Tisbury a mother approached Reina.
“She said, ‘thank you, these are things I have a hard time talking to my kids about, but your books help me start conversations. Do you have more?’ And I realized I have a lot more to give.”
A year-round resident, Ms. Del Taco’s gig and Mr. McNerney’s work schedules quiet down in the winter. The slowdown provides time to plan what’s next.
“I’d love to do a children’s show and I think MVTV is a great resource. I also want to write a children’s book.”
Winter isn’t just a time of reflection for Mr. McNerney; it’s a time for community.
“People who are here year-round are hard working people. You know, we’re the glue. . .We’re here in the winter and we’re here together. I love seeing people around town, and going to [Mocha] Mott’s and seeing the same five people every Saturday.”
While keeping up with weekly winter coffee dates, Reina still finds time to shop for glamorous wares off-Island. A wig shop in Falmouth and thrift stores along the Cape are favorites.
Story hours dictate a more reserved look. A favorite of Ms. Del Taco’s is what she calls her “Nancy Pelosi power suit,” a red skirt and jacket combination. New York city, where Ms. Del Taco got her start, required a different wardrobe entirely.
“My drag mentor, Linda Simpson, is this queen who knows everyone. She had parties and I’d work the parties. I could get creative with my looks.”
Before Ms. Del Taco found her singular voice, she honed her style at drag bingo events organized by Ms. Simpson.
“Drag queens are known for having sharp tongues and biting wit. That just is not me. Bingo was great because I was able to have a sort of Vanna White persona.”
Today, she still works in the occasional trip to New York for a bingo event.
While Ms. Del Taco became popular on the downtown New York drag scene, Mr. McNerney was hard at work nearby. He completed an undergraduate degree at New York University, began working in the school’s IT department, and pursued a masters degree in NYU’s Interactive Telecommunication Program.
After graduating with his masters, Mr. McNerney moved to Mexico City. A passion for Latin American literature, fluent Spanish skills and beloved grandparents in the area made the transition easier.
“Reina is inspired by a bit of my grandmother and a bit of a Mexican church grandma,” said Mr. McNerney.
After making a life in Mexico City as a freelance web developer, Mr. McNerney looked for a summer change of scenery. He had visited Martha’s Vineyard years before with a close friend whose family had a house in Oak Bluffs. In 2017, Mr. McNerney applied for a summer job as a driver with UPS. After an eventful summer of deliveries, the beach and a few story times, Ms. Del Taco and Mr. McNerney got on a plane back to Mexico City.
“When I was in the air, there was an earthquake in Mexico. My whole neighborhood was evacuated.”
The earthquake made it hard to remain in Mexico City and Mr. McNerney decided to return to the Vineyard.
“The Island has been so receptive. . . I feel like this is such an accepting place, a place where people can do their own thing. People are very live and let live here.”
He returned to his job at UPS, delivering during the peak holiday season and hasn’t left since. “Funny how life works sometimes,” he said.
Mr. McNerney was promoted to supervisor a year later.
After laundering his uniform, Mr. McNerney sat down to plan out the next day’s delivery routes.
“I feel like I know the Island like the back of my hand. You give me an address and I can tell you where it is. I’ve delivered in every town. It’s great when people can say ‘Hey, Tim’.”
Reina may not be as immediately recognizable as Tim, but that doesn’t matter, said Mr. McNerney.
“She’s kind of like Barbie, she can be anything. A doctor, a photographer, a businesswoman. She’s everybody.”
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