ERIC THE DRAGKING

I AM

My passion is to perform in drag with a purpose! The art of dragtivism is a great way for Eric the Dragking to address societal challenges and inspire people around me to join my fight against stigma and discrimination.

While already at a young age I wanted to drag up, I only started to publicly perform in drag since 2022. Now I love it, it is a way of life and it has really opened up so many new opportunities for me. I have been received with so much love by the Queer community and I am so proud to be part of this great bubble of diversity!

OPEN

I am the first Burundian Dutch Dragking open about living with HIV. Some of you may also know me as Eliane, who is already open about her status since 2014 and featured on the Stories of hope platform as the first female burundian playing an instrument made of cow horn called the indonongo. Hey, you are never too old to learn new skills and share your talent!

As Eric the Dragking I notice the on-going impact of HIV on the Queer community. There is still so much to share about issues such as HIV stigma, PrEP, or growing up HIV positively. I quickly realised that the art of dragtivism is a great way to integrate serious messages about HIV in my performances.

So today I am dancing HIV and AIDS stigma away, holding PrEP talks, and spreading positive thought provoking HIV messages through my face art. Dragtivism gives us the freedom to embrace who we are, share our positive experience of living with HIV, and show that we are much stronger than the tiny virus.

Never stop prioritising your dream! (even if they are a little wicked 😉)