How the Salty Bitches Became AIDS Walk New York Royalty

The Salty Bitches have reigned as one of AIDS Walk New York’s top fundraising teams for over 20 years, thanks to the invincible leadership of HRH Marguerite d’Anjou, Queen of All England – and her alter ego, Michael Shattner.

The team’s origin story goes back over 500 years to the Wars of the Roses in the 1450s, when Queen Margaret of Anjou and her husband, King Henry VI, fought his cousin, the Duke of York, for the English crown. Fast forward to 2003, when Shattner was cast as Queen Margaret for the Judith Shakespeare Company’s gender-bending productions of Shakespeare’s history cycle about the wars, Henry VI, Parts 1–3, which culminate in Richard III.

The next year, Shattner registered as HRH Marguerite d’Anjou for a new AIDS Walk New York team, made up of a core group of actors from the Henry VI shows. “It’s her team, really. She’s pretty indomitable,” Shattner says.

He dubbed the team the Salty Bitches, inspired by Queen Margaret’s struggles amid the often deadly palace intrigues during the Wars of the Roses. “She’s a remarkable character in Shakespeare. She goes from an innocent teenager to become the Queen of England,” he says. And by the end of Richard III, “She’s this harridan cursing everyone out for ruining her life.”

“Queen Margaret is often painted in unflattering terms, but really she was just a very determined person,” Shattner says. “The drag queen Latrice Royale defined ‘bitch’ as Being In Total Control of Herself. We’re reclaiming the word to mean an empowered person, like Queen Margaret, getting stuff done for themselves.”

Indeed, the Salty Bitches do what it takes to get stuff done. Last year the small but mighty grassroots team, with about 10 members counting HRH Marguerite d’Anjou, raised $33,000 for AIDS Walk New York.

Particularly now, that kind of salty determination is needed. “We’re in a dire situation right now,” Shattner says. “I’ve never lived under a government that was actively trying to destroy its people.”

“Just look around at the lack of a safety net for so many,” he says. “And we still don’t have a cure for HIV/AIDS. It’s not a death sentence anymore if you have the privilege and capacity to get medication – but not everybody does. The support provided by GMHC and the other organizations funded by the Walk is essential to the survival of a lot of people.”

“Queer folks who came of age in the 1990s grew up with AIDS as a specter in our lives,” he adds. “There are Salty teammates who have lost loved ones, family members, and friends. That’s why everyone on the team feels so committed to this cause.”

Channeling Queen Margaret

Unlike many actors, Shattner says, he’s an introvert. “I’ve put that introversion aside in my AIDS Walk fundraising by channeling the spirit of Queen Margaret. That kind of determination and stopping at nothing is something I rely on for my fundraising,” he says. “I don’t care how ‘in your face’ I have to be. I’ll tell anyone they need to donate to our team for AIDS Walk New York. I do it with a mix of humor and love.”

“A founding principle of the Salty Bitches is that you have to put yourself out there. It’s about being persistent. That’s one of the secrets of our success,” Shattner says. “I encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and reach out to everybody they know. You’ll find they’re very eager to support this cause.”

Shattner’s top tactic is emailing everyone in his network. “I have far-flung friends, cousins, people I’ve worked with, others I’ve been in shows with, who donate year after year,” he says. “I’m relentless with my emails. It can take seven to eight touch points before people actually take action. Sometimes, I will send my final email – and then get the donation the day of the walk.”

“Whatever means you use, you’ve got to get out there consistently – to the point where people will give to get you off their back,” he advises cheerfully.