Asif Quraishi, stage name Asifa Lahore, is Britain’s first publically out Muslim drag queen. She is a regular on London’s gay club and burlesque scene, having recently launched The Masala Club in Walthamstow, a dinner and dance outfit, serving up the double delight of curry and cabaret. She is also known in the LGBT community for her fashion-conscious, funny music videos exhibiting her vocal talent alongside the smoky eyes and burgundy leather.But this is just one half of Lahore’s story. Sitting in a little London café, with the cool air of a lifer rock-star she explained to us, “my career took off because I embraced my identity through my love of performing. There then came a point where I had a huge Asian following, both men and women, and I came to a realisation: I could use my fame to speak up for the thousands of Gaysians (gay and Asian) who’ve felt afraid like me.” Indeed, her conviction is the product of earlier silence: “most British people do come out in their teens, but I was told by my sister to stay quiet. I had even agreed to marry my first cousin in Pakistan. After that my grades started to drop at university and I was finally put in touch with several LGBT charities and support groups, who could help me fully appreciate who I was . Now I do a lot of campaigning, up and down the country, to raise awareness, as well as in the homeland.”
But Lahore refuses to reduce the issue to her background: Pakistani culture being a colourful characteristic of her shows. “It is a difficult time not just if you are gay and/or Muslim” she asserted. “We’re living in world where it is difficult to be yourself, in all your plurality. There is so much pressure to identify – to conform – in one way: you could be straight and Christian, practising or not practising, Muslim, Hijabi, and you’ll face the same challenge.” Hers a narrative of glamour and sexual politics, Lahore does not just stand for the Gaysian community, but also the right to individuality at its very core.
You recently filmed the Channel 4 documentary, Muslim Drag Queens – a programme on the lives of gay Asian performers; how have you felt since it aired?
It wasn’t until your mid-twenties that you came out; tell us more about this journey?
Some see Drag as a celebration of fluid sexuality. What exactly is it about performing that attracts you?
You have said that Islam has worked in tandem with your beliefs on gay marriage?
You said in the Huffington Post: “Cameron is talking about the threat of extremism but actually I think it’s a form of terrorism that British gay Muslims aren’t getting the support and advice and guidance that they need to just be themselves in the UK” Please elaborate?
What are some of your current and future projects?
Finally, what would be your advice to others who are afraid to come out?
https://twitter.com/AsifaLahore
