More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Two Kent drag queens are competing for the crown of Miss Drag UK and say the art form is their war mask.
Thanet's Victoria Carriage and Herne Bay's Sir Vyx were speaking at a live drag make up tutorial for charity ahead of the annual competition.
Miss Drag UK celebrates the country's runway talent.
For their charity event, locals were invited to come along to at the Sundowners bar in Margate and watch the queens put their faces on, giving onlookers make-up tips as they painted along with them.
When a queen wins Miss Drag UK they bring this community engagement into their work by performing, raising money up and down the country and acting as a representative for LGBT people.
Sir Vyx said: "There's such a lack of LGBT representation so we have to be living proof it gets better.
"Being able to be a role model is such an empowering thing for us to do for other people, but also for ourselves."
Victoria added: "And that's exactly it; role modelling. LGBT issues are still massively present.
"We've moved forward but they're still there. The bullying is still happening.
"So for queens to stand tall, stand proud with big hair and big makeup, makes us living proof that the LGBT community can stand tall and say, 'I am what I am and it's okay.'"
She added: "Drag is escapism, it's a war mask. You can put on the make up and the hair and become any character you want.
"There are hundreds of types of drag and they're all just as valid and so empowering."
The event raised money for Abigail's Footsteps, which supports bereaved parents, and LGBT Mind, which helps people with mental health issues.
The pair plan to hold another event before the Miss Drag UK finale pageant.
Victoria, who was a runner-up last year, said: "Miss Drag UK is so much fun. You meet your sisters, you have a laugh. I think for us it's not about winning.
"The sisterhood between drag queens is second to none. I love that there is no competition. We're all doing the same thing and sharing the same message."
Despite competing, the queens say it made sense to work together on the charity work shop because they have been friends for many years.
Sir Vyx added: "We go way back. We've done gigs together for a few years and we're sisters through and through.
"We thought, because we have such different styles of drag, coming together on this workshop would work really well."
Later in the class, the bearded queen said: "Drag is moving away from being binary. It's exploring the realms of gender.
"You should never do anything which makes you feel uncomfortable out of drag.
"I keep my beard because I don't want to lose that whole other side of myself."
Visitors learnt how to properly glue down their eye brows, contour and blend their eye shadow.
Dazzled gasps came from the crowd as Sir Vyx drew on her eyebrows.
Both agreed their best make-up advice is to practise. However Sir Vyx added: "If in doubt just throw glitter on it. That will work fine."
The finale of the national drag competition was due to be held in Folkstone on March 29 but has been postponed until June 14 following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
To read more about how gay bars act as refuges for anyone who needs somewhere safe, click here.
