We talk to Asifa Lahore about their activism and the latest venture in creating a safe space for queers in Croydon.
Asifa Lahore queers Croydon with Pride
So lovely to meet up with you Asifa. Please introduce yourself to our readers by telling us something about yourself
Hello darling. You know me as Asifa Lahore, Britain’s First Out Muslim Drag Queen and LGBT+ activist. You might also know me as the queen of the Gaysian community, an out and proud transgender woman and someone who lives with a disability. I could go on with my intersectionalities! I am so happy to have this opportunity for a catch up post this pandemic induced purgatory we had to live through! As things are opening up I am back to doing what I love on any stage that will have me!
What motivates your activism?
We really are all in this together and if anything the last few years have shown is that as a community we aren’t as united or have our rights as safeguarded as we thought we did. It comes down to us to be vocal and present. And I for one am here for the long haul.
Do you see things changing for the better?
We live in an era where representation and diversity is starting to be not only acknowledged but encouraged and I’m so happy to see this change. I remember my early days as a drag performer around a decade ago and the aptitude for difference wasn’t as evident. I am proud to have been able to push the envelope a bit further on what it means to be British, South Asian and LGBT+. I still feel such a rush when I see young queers from my communities embracing their identities.
What motivated you to participate in your latest venture?
Unfortunately as a consequence of many venues closing the LGBT+ community in London has lost many of its safe spaces and I worry about what this means for the community’s sense of unity particularly in the outer boroughs. Being a long term Croydon resident I will enthusiastically tell you that it’s a super queer Borough, but only if you know where to look. Croydon has not had a designated queer safe space for the longest time and if the pandemic taught me anything it is about the importance of community and coming together. With this in mind we have set up Their Majesties at the Oval Tavern in Croydon.
Tell us about Their Majesties
Their Majesties is a monthly LGBT+ event hosted by myself and my partner in crime, Shepherd’s Bush. It is a celebration of drag queerness so expect irreverent lipsyncs and amazing live vocals, both from us but also from the visiting drag artists who join us. We want the artists that join us to showcase the incredible diversity the drag community has to offer and we have not been disappointed! Visiting drag artists have included drag king supreme Adam All, Apples Derrière, the dazzling Bambi Price’d Divine, the trans icon Geri Love and the South End temptress Shyanne O’Shea. We have been spoiled to some incredible shows!
“We want everyone to have a good time but at the heart of this it’s to create a much longed for space for the local queer community.”
How is the project developing?
In the last few months since we started it we have seen the community come together with more new faces joining our cohort of regulars. What I have found empowering is how invested the community had been towards Their Majesties; regulars have been throwing themselves behind us by offering their skills and talents in helping grow the event. And let me tell you how powerful it has been to hear from attendees who share to me that they feel inspired to perform for the first time. This is a community event for the community, by the community and I am emboldened by the fact that they wish to make the most of it. I’ve noticed friendship groups being created because of Their Majesties, people who without our event wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet. Their Majesties has provided a much needed safe space in Croydon and here’s hoping the community keep using it because as we know far too well of the risk facing LGBT+ spaces – if they’re not used, they disappear into oblivion.
How will you be celebrating Pride?
To celebrate Pride we have decided to go all out! On June 30th we will be hosting Their Majesties Pre-Pride Special which will bring together various local LGBT+ artists to showcase their talents in a blow out like no other! We will also be joined by Scarlett Harlett of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 and we plan to celebrate the onset of Pride Month by making noise and ensuring people know that they are welcome and are free to be themselves.
Where can I see Asifa Lahore?
This event has passed. To see Asifa Lahore visit QX queer event listings here.
