Lavender Skyes, co-host of the Open Stage London event on Sept. 13
London’s drag community is reflecting on the legacy of lifelong performer, humanitarian and activist, Dolly Parton, whose death late last month shook the world.
At a recent open stage event hosted by Poacher’s Arms in downtown London, local drag artist Lavender Skyes took a break from the mic to talk about Parton’s influence.
“She always made space for gay people, she didn’t feel like she had to make excuses for anybody, she always knew that the space was open and she really cultivated not hiding people away, and that’s incredibly important,” says Skyes, who co-hosted the Open Stage London event.
Parton’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ people went so far as vocalizing her support for drag communities in Texas when the Texas Republican government attempted to ban drag performances. She famously gifted a signed, customized guitar to Texan drag performer Brigitte Bandit, who frequently performs as “Dolly.”
“[She was] massively influential in the drag community,” says Skyes. “I have done quite a few Dolly Parton numbers. She did so many incredible things.”
Parton was 80 when she died from cancer on Aug. 25.
“Her passing was very hard for me … (she was) just someone so great that we lost,” says Skyes.
“I know that her legacy is going to carry on for years and years, and decades to come. I’m just so grateful I got to live in the same decade as her.”
