Drag Race’s Lawrence Chaney encourages people to attend Pride from a younger age: ‘It’s not an 18+ thing’
The Drag Race UK winner reflects on the power of community in My Pride, sponsored by Taimi.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Provided
Lawrence Chaney has urged young fans to attend pride from a young age because “it’s not an 18+ thing.”
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star – speaking as part of My Pride, sponsored by Taimi – also spoke out against apolitical drag queens, arguing “what you do is political.”
Lawrence will appear in this month’s series for Attitude Pride At Home, in association with Klarna, alongside the likes of Bob the Drag Queen and Henry Holland.
Says the 24-year-old: “I remember when I was younger before I started drag, I would always put off going to Pride. I’d say ‘No, if I go, everyone will know I’m gay and I’ll get bullied and mugged on a train station!’
“I was so worried to leave the house and celebrate with the community.”
Lawrence goes on: “If there’s something I could tell my younger self, it’s ‘attend Prides from more of a young age.’ It is not an 18+ thing. It’s very family-friendly. More people need to involve themselves younger on, I’d say.”
“I hate queens that say: ‘Oh it’s not about politics'”
Elsewhere in the interview, the star says: “I hate [drag] queens that say: ‘Oh it’s not about politics, I’m not about politics’.
“You are wearing a wig and you’re wearing very extravagant costumes: sadly in this current social climate, what you do is political.”
My Pride, sponsored by Taimi, is part of Attitude Pride at Home, in association with Klarna, that runs from 17-27 June at attitude.co.uk, youtube.com/attitudemag and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@attitudemag).
Attitude Pride at Home, in association with Klarna, is to benefit the Attitude Magazine Foundation for LGBT causes – this year supporting ten amazing organisations including AKT, Black Trans Foundation, Curly’s Legacy, Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Food Chain, Kaleidoscope Trust, LGBT Youth Scotland, Mermaids, Stonewall UK and Switchboard LGBT.
Each will receive at least £1000 courtesy of our sponsors Klarna, Bentley, Clifford Chance, Slingsby, Swatch and Taimi and individual supporters.
To donate £5 please text ATHOME5 to 70480 or see our Virgin Money Giving link here. Visit attitudemagazinefoundation.com for more details.