Trans woman 'discovered her gender identity' after missing drag shows during lockdown

Kiko Stewart felt depressed after the Covid-19 pandemic forced her to cancel shows which allowed her to “pause” and self-reflect.

It was then the 23-year-old, who is from Paisley but is living in Glasgow, realised she missed seeing herself as “feminine” which affected her extremely negatively.

Kiko missed performing drag during lockdown

She previously identified as non-binary but feels it was partly to “avoid facing the harsh reality of being trans".

Now after accepting herself as a trans woman she hopes to raise awareness and help others struggling with their own identity issues.

Kiko told the Glasgow Times: “I think because my drag character has always been quite feminine, when the pandemic hit and everything stopped, I lost that and became quite depressed.

“It was the self-reflection I did there trying to figure out why it affected me so badly.

“I essentially looked in the mirror and realised it was because I didn’t see something feminine looking back at me anymore.

“My life forcibly going on pause gave me that time to think about myself quite deeply, and helped to affirm my identity as a woman.

“I think it is important to say that there actually is a common misconception that only men do drag and they only portray women.

“It’s quite the contrary. Anyone can do drag and they aren’t restricted in what or who they need to portray.”

Kiko is speaking out about her gender journey

Kiko is now fundraising to help medically transition after facing massive NHS waiting queues.

Friends and family have rallied round the performer and have raised £3000 towards her £25,000 goal.

This means Kiko has been able to book in with a private Scottish gender clinic and plan some some gender affirming procedures.

Kiko loves performing in Glasgow

Kiko said: “Waiting times with the NHS gender clinics are higher than ever, and while I am on a waiting list, it looks like I may be on that waiting list for another two years at least before seeing anyone.

“However, thanks to the support of my community and friends, I have been able to crowdfund parts of the costs of seeing a private gender clinic.

“I was initially quite embarrassed and did not want to crowdfund healthcare costs, however my friends encouraged me to go for it.

“Four months ago, I finally took their advice and I’m very happy to say I’ve been lucky enough to be able to schedule an appointment with a gender clinic in Scotland, as well as begin to plan some gender affirming procedures.

“I’m extremely thankful that I’ve been able to get the ball rolling, and I’m immensely grateful to everybody that has been able to help me out so far.”

Credit: Connor Rundell

Credit: Crawford Visual

Kiko is hoping that by speaking out about her story more people in the LGBTQ+ community can come forward about who they are.

She also hopes that after she raises enough money to secure her own procedures, she can help others do the same.

Kiko explained: “I didn’t ever see many trans people when I was young in the media or otherwise, so it wasn’t until I started taking part in the LGBTQ+ community and the Scottish drag circuit that the penny dropped.

“Long-term, I hope to keep saving and fundraising for further gender affirming procedures and help fundraise for other trans people."

If you want to help Kiko raise funds, then you can by visiting her GoFundMe page via gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-kikos-transition.