She folded her legs into a pose for the camera, a pink fan fluttering in her right hand, her left resting gently upon the knee, with a scorpion-shaped hand harness trailing down to the wrist. “I am a modern drag queen. Some drag queens are old-fashioned, some do comedy while I do my own character and I like to keep it fun, friendly and sexy,” said Kitty Glitter, at ease in her Victorian suite of The Lalit Great Eastern. Half an hour later, she was at the console, doubling as DJ, and playing “uplifting vocal house music with remix pop”!
She shimmied down the aisle in an ultra violet bodysuit, those eye-boggling glitter boots and blingy earrings as Calcutta’s LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) party crowd cheered her on at the Kitty Su pop-up on December 30...
Welcome to Calcutta, Kitty. The concept of a drag queen is still sketchy in many parts of the world. How is a drag queen different from a transgender person?
Persons of transgender identity feel that they are in the wrong body so they undergo transition to become who they feel they really are. But a drag queen is a man, who puts on dresses for entertainment purposes. So I live life like a man during the day but at night, I put on my sparkle and shine and celebrate!
You have travelled the world. Have you seen any difference in the behaviour of the LGBTQ community in the West from the East?
Obviously, in the West, people are used to saying that they love it. But in a place like India, the concept is new… it’s like, wow! The reaction is very over the top and they want to have a piece of you. They want to come close to you, feel that you are real and feel the energy and that’s what I am here to do…
Does that intimidate you?
Maybe for the first few minutes. But then, usually, a drag queen always brings out the humane in people so I feel comfortable in moments.
What is the true spirit of drag and what impact does it have on you and the people who come to see you?
I think the true impact of drag is our message to everyone, which is: You can do whatever you want to do and be what you want to be. Personally, for me, I am a quiet person out of drag. When I am in drag, I let go of the inhibitions. When I am performing, I feel it peps people up and they are fascinated at the same time. When I look at a drag queen, I am like... wow, that’s a man!
What message do you have, especially for the younger generation, who live in fear of coming out?
To be honest, I don’t know what the government imposes on you, but in my experience, the cities I have been to, everyone is very accepting. So I think it is the government that needs to change not the people.
There are some people who are yet to accept it… I feel they are just homophobic. I also feel that it’s (the resistance to accept) from the older generation… the new generation is very accepting, they are on the Internet and they know what’s going on in the world. We/you can’t hide any more…
When you look back, were there any struggles?
When I first started in Sydney, 20 years ago, and I won the talent contest, I came out of nowhere. There were already a helluva lot of drag queens working and when they saw me — that I have talent, — they were not gonna support. They tried to pull me down. But you got to believe in yourself and as long as your heart is in the right place, I think, naturally, the universe lets you have what you want.
What made you take up DJing?
Music has always been my greatest passion. I did drag shows before I started DJing and I just needed something new.
What did you do before you became a drag queen?
I was folding towels at a men’s sauna and I loved that job too (laughs)!
Drag queen or DJ — what excites you more?
To be honest, I have to say music! I could have stopped doing drag altogether and stay just a boy but I think the element of drag queen sets me apart as a DJ.
You played at Lady Gaga’s private party in Melbourne in 2012. How did that happen?
It was Fourth of July and Lady Gaga was touring in Australia. It came as a surprise! I was DJing in Singapore a few months before that and she was performing in Singapore. Her crew came to see the club so they must have loved what I did. A few weeks later, I got a call from Lady Gaga’s personal assistant, asking me to DJ! I thought they wanted me to go to LA but since I was booked in Australia for that time I told them, ‘Sorry I can’t’. Then they said that they were coming to Melbourne! So yes, it was a great opportunity!
Is there anything you would like to change about yourself?
I don’t want to change but I would like to try new things. Like, I want to release a single and record a video clip. Being an item girl will also be cool! I actually want to record in India and do a Bollywood star video clip…
How familiar are you with Bollywood music?
Of course, it’s magical! Swag se swagat…. (hums and does Katrina Kaif’s steps perfectly) I love the song, it’s fantastic! My dream would be to do a video clip showcasing transgender people in India.
A drag artiste you look up to...
Definitely RuPaul — the drag queen of the world
Fave DJs in the world?
I have my favourites like Rafael Rosario, Wayne G… who was playing at the gay clubs around the world so he was a great inspiration for me.
Top 3 gay clubs in the world...
Oh gosh! (Thinks) Umm… I need help… there are so many but I would choose Fly 2.0 in Toronto, ARQ Sydney, Le Glam in Nice, France, as my favourites because I am booked maximum at these places (laughs).
Pramita Ghosh
Pictures: Shuvo Roychaudhury
