The life of a Russian drag queen in the Putin era
After enduring years of increasingly repressive homophobia, Russian drag artist Miss Tizzy plans to move to France. In an interview, she describes what LGBTQ life is like in Russia and what she hopes for in France.
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This is an English-language version of the interview of Miss Tizzy by Terrence Katchadourian, a member of the French LGBTQ rights group Stop Homophobie:
Terrence Katchadourian : Can you introduce yourself by explaining how your private, artistic and activist lives are linked??
Miss Tizzy : I’ve always been creative since childhood. But I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. When I first got into a gay club, I discovered a big new world of drag culture. Eventually, as I searched for a decent platform, I got to a project that is engaged in the creation of the largest queer-positive parties in Russia. In addition to the show, this project is engaged in increasing the visibility of the queer community and fighting homophobia, sexism, racism, repression and violence. My views have changed a lot during the time that I have been in this team. I was finally able to open my eyes and see the world in its real guise. Drag has become a way for me to talk about what’s going on inside me and what’s going on around me. I consider this the highest stage of our LGBT culture, which is always obliged to spread enlightenment and struggle for true freedom.
Terrence Katchadourian : How did you come to create Miss Tizzy and your Monster Drag characters?
Miss Tizzy : Miss Tizzy appeared in my life absolutely by accident. I used to do classic drag, but because of the many troubles I faced at the club, I was forced to quit my creative activity. You’ll ask, what could have happened? With no explanation, I was forbidden to perform on stage. (I believe it was a personal dislike for my personality). I was insulted, humiliated and not supported by my creative initiative. I was even forbidden to perform using American pop music. I was told, “A Russian drunken viewer needs something simple and understandable.” The end came when one of the employees on my work shift died. I threw all my costumes in the trash and decided that my story ended there. But then I came across a project called Dragula. I was in love, I was amazed and I was destroyed. I finally found myself. Tizzy is a story about rebirth. My main motto is to see what you’ve done to me. You killed me and buried my body in a cold ground. But I got out of the grave, took my heels and I’m ready to work hard, bitches!
Terrence Katchadourian : What is the message you want to convey through your artistic performances?
Miss Tizzy : Through my example, I try to convey to every person in this world that nothing is impossible. For a long time, no one accepted or supported me. For a long time I was lonely and unrecognized. But thanks to hard work, willpower and my dream, I was able to achieve what I have now. Drag is not just a show or a job. Drag is a big, interesting story that changes the consciousness of all people who see it. My main message is that we are all strong only when we hold on to each other. The world changes only when we stop being silent.
Terrence Katchadourian : What is your place today on the queer art scene in Russia?
Miss Tizzy : I am a unique artist of my genre in Russia. You can even say that I’m the only Monster Drag Queen performing on the big stage. Tizzy has existed for only a year, but it has already reached the highest height it could reach here. For example, I never write to local gay clubs. They always invite me to their place. This is a rarity for our drag community. But. I want to go further. I want to develop and not be afraid to be frank and real.
Terrence Katchadourian : Can you tell us about the Gender Blender project? What is its purpose?
Miss Tizzy : Gender Blender is a project about freedom and truth. We are engaged in increasing visibility and fighting injustice. In addition to the show, we also have a series of podcasts about the lives of local artists and the discussion of many other problems that lie on the surface here. For example, a podcast about racism faced by black people every day here. Or, for example, a podcast on chemical sex and drug problems among teenagers. Gender Blender is a story about new ethics in Russia. Unfortunately, the project has suspended its activities due to the issuance of a law in Russia banning LGBT propaganda among adults and minors.
Terrence Katchadourian : Are you safe today in Russia? Are you threatened? Are you at risk?
Miss Tizzy : Before the law came out, I can’t say that I faced aggression. But I can say that I didn’t face it because I’m always very careful. I never dressed the way I wanted. I almost never went out in my drag image to crowded places. And I never went hand in hand with my loved one. The lack of aggression in my history is not a lack of a problem. Russia is a very homophobic country where homophobia has begun to be supported by law. The law banning LGBT propaganda has untied the hands of many people who despise our community. I’m scared to imagine what will happen next… Maybe something would change if people weren’t afraid to talk about it.
Terrence Katchadourian : Can you describe the situation for LGBT+ people today in Russia ? Do you know anyone who has been worried, threatened or victimized by the authorities?
Miss Tizzy : The life of the LGBT community is threatened every day in my country. Many people in Russia are outraged by black Ariel [casting black actress Haile Berry as the lead character in Disney’s live-action version of “The Little Mermaid”] and that there are too many gays in a new Netflix series. But racism and homophobia exist as long as people continue to express their dissatisfaction with [us]. That’s why there are various projects that increase the visibility of our community. As I said earlier, Russia is a very homophobic country. I know a million and one stories about how my friends were abused here. I know a lot of stories about times when the police didn’t support guys who were raped and robbed by men on private dates.
In connection to the new law, I know one recent story that happened here. A group of teenagers gathered in their friend’s apartment and spent the evening watching some films about love between two men. The neighbor reported them to police and called the gathering LGBT propaganda. When police officers arrived at the apartment, they arrested everyone and seized the personal belongings of the landlord… Also recently there was the first case of a fine for propaganda against a guy who provided escort services to other men. The worst thing is that this is just the beginning; the law was adopted absolutely recently.
Terrence Katchadourian : Why do you want to come and settle in France rather than in another country ?
Miss Tizzy : I want to move to France because absolute democracy and freedom reign in this country! I consider France a very original country with an interesting history, bright culture and excellent weather conditions. Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. And that’s true. At the moment I live in Russia, the city of St. Petersburg. I find some similar features in both places, so I think it would be the perfect option for my move. I would give everything I have to make my creative cultural contribution to the development of this wonderful country. I want to live in a free world where my basic civil rights will be guaranteed to be respected. I don’t want to be afraid to be myself. I don’t want to be afraid to talk about what’s going on inside me and I hope that I can find a new home in this country.
Terrence Katchadourian : What will be your personal and artistic projects once you leave Russia ?
Miss Tizzy : After moving to France, I want to continue my development in the Drag Show industry. Now I’ve been doing this for about three years and this is my main income and the meaning of my life. I also have several of my friends living in France who have agreed to help me find a venue for performances. I am sure that this is where I can truly find myself and expand my new creative boundaries. It’s dangerous to do a lot of things in Russia, so I restrain myself in many ways… I’m also ready for absolutely ordinary work. It doesn’t cause me any stress. Here I worked as a senior administrator in some clubs. I was also engaged in the restoration of vintage-branded things and worked in the kitchen in one of the restaurants in St. Petersburg. I have a lot of talents and a lot of experience.
Terrence Katchadourian : Would you like to add anything in particular?
Miss Tizzy : Yes. I am 22 years old and in my life I have gone through a large number of tests. I was at war in Ukraine, at the age of 13. I saw the burned bodies of people lying in the fields. I saw tanks, soldiers and fell asleep to the sounds of sirens. I faced aggression, homophobia, violence and rejection. Drag was an opportunity for me to talk about what is happening inside me and now in my country it is prohibited by law. They banned my existence and I’m not ready to put up with it. I want a bright future where I will not have to suffer again and run away from war and non-acceptance. I hope that France will become my new home where I will be free!
