This Genderfluid Visibility Week, let’s look at some fabulous genderfluid Drag Queens
BY YASMIN VINCE, IMAGES BY BBC
If there’s one piece of queer media that is completely embedded in the mainstream, it’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. Spanning 15 years, almost 20 countries and more seasons than you can count, it’s been an incredible vehicle for representation across the gender spectrum.
Drace Race has featured genderfluid contestants for years, showcasing over 30 across the franchise. In the UK version alone, there have been three. Who are these trailblazers?
Lawrence Chaney
Season two
The winner of season two was none other than the genderfluid, Glasgow-based drag queen Lawrence Chaney. They were a winner two-times over, as their role on Drag Race UK won them a 2021 BAFTA Scotland Audience Award. Lawrence was also the first Scottish winner and only the second plus-size winner across the entire franchise.
In an interview with the i, Lawrence said, out of drag, they thought the best way to describe their identity was as “genderfluid”, but that this wasn’t a fixed label. “I see myself as ever evolving and always discovering more about myself.”
Cherry Valentine
Season two
Though eliminated in the second episode, Cherry won the hearts of the nation in their short time on the show. In 2022, their tragic death was a shock to us all. A memorial concert was held in Clapham Grand, with tickets made available at no cost and all donations given to mental health charities.
After appearing on the show, they became a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA Traveller community. They created a documentary, Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen And Proud, in which they spoke about being raised as an English Traveller. They later said they were “unsure” about how to tackle discussing their heritage due to the lack of education and attention on LGBTQIA travellers.
Krystal Versace
Season three
Taking the crown at 19, Krystal is the youngest ever Drag Race winner. After winning the show, the drag queen toured the US and later did a BBC docuseries, Keeping Up With Krystal Versace, all about life post Drag Race.
In the second episode of the series, Krystal explained where they stood on the gender spectrum out of drag. “At the end of the day, I don’t have to label it. I’m just me and I’m just on this genderfluid spectrum and that’s just how I live my life.”
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