'It's like the Olympics of the creative industries' says Perth drag queen
Scarlet Skylar Rae is telling Tay News what it's like to do drag in a rural city as part of LGBT History Month
Last updated 8th Feb 2021
We're hearing people in Tayside are now far more accepting of drag acts.
That's the views of Perth's most prominent queen, who's performed as far away as Australia.
But Scarlet Skylar Rae says getting into character is no mean feat.
"It's all the theatre, it's all the costume. You have to learn to dance, you have to learn aerobics, pretty much," the 25-year-old said.
"I think it's the Olympics of the creative industries!"
Scarlet has been doing drag for four years after moving to the city from Aberdeen, and thinks people's reaction to the performance is now changing.
"It's not harassment as much, it's kind of good natured banter for quite a lot of people," added Scarlet.
"People have grown up, even the 'lad' culture, they usually have a girlfriend who watches Drag Race.
"You'll have a scary guy in a tracksuit coming up to you and he'll be wanting a photo to go show his girlfriend."
Scarlet's also a board member at Perthshire Pride, which launched its annual event in 2018. The 25-year-old believes LGBT History Month, which runs throughout February, is vital in fighting for equality.
"I feel for parts of the LGBT community, things have become a lot more accepting, but I also think for others they've become more distant.
"For gay, lesbian and bisexual people I think there's been great progress but for people who are say transgender or non-binary, they're maybe more likely to be abused just walking down the street."