Laura Chen feature.qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2019 11:06 Page 6
BIRMINGHAM’S
ELLIOTT BARNICLE ""I like that I’m slightly different. I must admit that there’s a part of me that does slightly enjoy confusing people, as I don’t present myself as what the majority would expect from a drag queen. I’m not 100% about where I identify myself on the gender scale, so it’s nice to experiment. Drag just gives me confidence, full-stop. As soon as the makeup comes off, I’m like, don’t look at me, I’m shy! I like to make people laugh, and for them to be entertained and enjoy the performance I present. For me, my drag is very much a creative outlet and an art form. I’m a graphic designer by day, so drag is another medium in which I’m able to let my creative juices flow. More recently I’ve also used it as a way to gain confidence, as I struggle with that in my day-to-day life. It’s nice to have my ‘time to shine’, so to speak, when I’m in drag. People who’ve known me since before I started my drag journey and even people who only really know me out of drag, like my work colleagues - are always confused as to how I have the confidence to be on stage, because that’s not a part of me that they ever get to see.
Photography: Laura Chen MidlandsZone.co.uk 21