Drag Stars Mourn Death of San Francisco Legend Heklina
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Rest in Power, Heklina!
\u201chttps://t.co/UoyC4wDYHV\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796
“https://t.co/UoyC4wDYHV”
San Francisco drag queen, actor, and entrepreneur Heklina has passed away at 55 years of age.
Besides founding the drag club Mother (formerly known as Trannyshack) in 1996, Heklina was best known for playing Dorothy Zbornak in drag productions of Golden Girls, collaborating in multiple projects with Peaches Christ, and being a main fixture in the San Francisco drag scene.
On TV, Heklina made appearances on The Cho Show, The Daily Show, The Ricki Lake Show, and Jerry Springer. She also starred in drag queen spoof films such as 2002’s A Nightmare on Castro Street, 2004’s Whatever Happened to Peaches Christ?, and 2010’s Baby Jane?.
In 2022, Heklina and Peaches Christ starred in the drag parody Mommie Queerest in US theaters. As of April 2023, the two drag legends were scheduled to tour around the UK with this new production. But on Monday, April 3, Peaches Christ reported the passing of Heklina while already in London, writing:
“I am shocked and horrified to bring this news to you. I am living in a real-life nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all the answers just now. This morning, in London, England, I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead. I do not know the cause of death yet. I know this is shocking news and I am beyond stunned, but I wanted to let folks know what has happened. Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community. I am a mess. Given this crisis, please do not try to contact me as I am utterly heartbroken, stunned, and focusing on what needs to get done next. I shall be in touch.”
Now, high-profile drag performers are all mourning the loss of Heklina, who was an absolute icon to the LGBTQ+ community at large.
Scroll through to see drag stars’ reactions to the passing of Heklina.
Jinkx Monsoon
Jinkx Monsoon (they/she) on Instagram: "Stunned and heartbroken. 💔 There’s no way to fit all my feelings into a caption here. Heklina was brutally honest, not phased by anything, hilariously to the point… also kind, caring, celebratory of her friends while keeping them tethered to earth. An entrepreneuse, an entertainer, a punk rock pioneer, and a wonderful friend. I may have roasted her like it was my job, but I can’t believe she’s no longer here to hurl them back at me. For all intents and purposes, I owe you so much, Heklina. You gave me one of my first chances to shine, early in my career— and it snowballed into everything else. If you hadn’t taken a chance on me back then, who knows where I’d be now. Thank you for your service to drag, the queer community, and to the countless queens you inspired to rise and shine. Rest in paradise, my friend. My heart breaks and is devoted to @thepeacheschrist in this time; you’re so strong and I am with you in spirit— I’m so sorry. Hug your chosen family tight tonight. I love you, Heklina."
Trixie Mattel
\u201cIcon! Heklina was punk rock and made drag what it is today. Legend. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d
— Trixie Mattel\u2122 (@Trixie Mattel\u2122) 1680563643
“Icon! Heklina was punk rock and made drag what it is today. Legend. ❤️”
Bianca Del Rio
Bianca Del Rio on Instagram: "I will cherish every ROTTED moment we shared together ❤️ Rest well, @heklina ❤️"
Shea Couleé
\u201c@sfoasis I\u2019m legitimately SO SORRY for your loss. Heklina was so incredibly kind and warm. Such an incredible supporter of fellow queens, and she made me feel like family anytime I came to Oasis. Sending y\u2019all so much love, and my deepest condolences \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— OASIS (@OASIS) 1680559029
“@sfoasis I’m legitimately SO SORRY for your loss. Heklina was so incredibly kind and warm. Such an incredible supporter of fellow queens, and she made me feel like family anytime I came to Oasis. Sending y’all so much love, and my deepest condolences 💔”
BenDeLaCreme
BenDeLaCreme ✨🎄 on Instagram: "I can’t believe she’s gone. Heklina was a legend. And not in the meaningless way people throw that term around. 20 years ago when drag was still underground and you had to hear about a queen from a friend of a friend I knew about Heklina’s already legendary events in San Francisco all the way from Chicago which was my home at the time. The first time I ever went to one of her SF nights I felt like I was entering Studio 54 because I had been hearing about them for SO long and with SUCH fervor. Her influence on the world of drag was THAT huge. And it lived up to everything. Absolute madness. Gay bacchanalia. Even with all that, she wasn’t grand in any way. Everything she did was about community and the most fucking wild unapologetic queer joy you can imagine. She welcomed everyone in. She was oddly down to earth and matter of fact no matter how dressed she was. I was so nervous the first time she booked me 15ish years ago but she championed me. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to call her a friend. To share a stage with her and travel with her and dinners and cruises and low key afternoons. At a strip club she was an absolute menace. I’m glad I got to do that with her too. Her laugh was absolutely INFECTIOUS. Nothing else like it. You can’t imagine. The most joyful laugh you have EVER heard. It came from the deepest depths of her big heart and it echoed through the beautiful spaces she built and crowds she gathered and it will always ring in the hearts of the people she touched. I can’t believe I’ll never hear it again. I love you Heklina. I hope I told you that enough."
Yvie Oddly
\u201cI\u2019m heartbroken to hear about @Heklina\u2019s passing. She wasn\u2019t just a staple in the drag community, she was a whole-ass stapler. RIP queen\u201d
— Yvie Oddly (@Yvie Oddly) 1680571935
“I’m heartbroken to hear about @Heklina’s passing. She wasn’t just a staple in the drag community, she was a whole-ass stapler. RIP queen”
Raja
Sutan RAJA on Instagram: "Goodbye and highest respect to @heklina. You taught me so much. San Francisco icon, legend, pioneer, leader, irreverent deity. I want to say a joke or two that would seem inappropriate and too soon, as you taught me to. But if @official_lady_bunny hasn’t yet, I will stay in my lane. Thank you for being gracious and a mentor. Thank you for seeing me. Rest in peace and power."
Lady Camden
\u201c@Heklina is and always will be a San Francisco legend. Hilarious, humble and encouraging. \ud83d\udc94 We\u2019re lucky to have had you.\u201d
— Lady Camden (@Lady Camden) 1680573158
“@Heklina is and always will be a San Francisco legend. Hilarious, humble and encouraging. 💔 We’re lucky to have had you.”
Lady Bunny
Lady Bunny on Instagram: "Wacky, dirty and hysterical SF drag legend Heklina has passed away unexpectedly in London, I’m very sad to say. Peaches Christ announced it on social media where they were preparing a run of Mommie Queerest at Soho Theatre. No more info as to the cause of death yet. But my god, I’ll miss this funny bitch! Monet and I just had her in the podcast a couple weeks ago, and she laughed a lot and seemed excited. Well, excited in her wonderfully bitter way. Heklina’s shindigs employed a generation of SF queens. And what a slut! She played Dorothy in a Golden Girls revue, and actually went out to a sex club in Dorothy’s short gray wig. And probably got some, too!"
Ginger Minj
\u201c\ud83d\udc94 over the loss of the legendary #heklina \u2026 she was funny, punk, groundbreaking, a good friend, surrogate drag mother, the best at suggesting restaurants, and the absolute epitome of the word COOL! I loved her, I love her, and the world will miss her so much. #ripheklina\u201d
— Ginger Minj (@Ginger Minj) 1680568045
“💔 over the loss of the legendary #heklina … she was funny, punk, groundbreaking, a good friend, surrogate drag mother, the best at suggesting restaurants, and the absolute epitome of the word COOL! I loved her, I love her, and the world will miss her so much. #ripheklina”
Laganja Estranja
Milk
\u201cthis Heklina news \ud83e\udd7a\ud83d\ude25\u201d
— MILK (@MILK) 1680561220
“this Heklina news 🥺😥”
Jackie Beat
Pandora Boxx
\u201cI\u2019m absolutely gutted right now. Heklina was a drag legend and I adored her. She was a blast to work with. I will cherish the memories I have of her. Sending love out to all of her family and friends in this tragic time. You will be missed by many. \ud83d\ude22\ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Pandora Boxx (@Pandora Boxx) 1680559600
“I’m absolutely gutted right now. Heklina was a drag legend and I adored her. She was a blast to work with. I will cherish the memories I have of her. Sending love out to all of her family and friends in this tragic time. You will be missed by many. 😢💔”
Nicky Doll
Peppermint
Pepper Mint on Instagram: "It's tough for me to even really gather what to say. I have such reverence for the Queens who helped pave the way for girls like me and even the next generation. Heklina was one of the first Queens to welcome me with open arms in San Francisco, I remember my first visit back in 2006, since then she has made me feel at home every single time. She and @thepeacheschrist are two of the most creative and Visionary gals in the game. Heklina's contribution to the world of drag that's so great. The deficit that will be left without her continued energy and thoughtfulness is major. But her legacy remains. #Heklina 💔💔💔 rest in peace"
Biqtch Puddin’
\u201cRest in Power @Heklina, the community really lost a Legend today. Was an honor to have gotten to work with you. Sharing a dressing room with this woman is a RIOT to say the least. Y\u2019all def better laugh today, hers was one of the best. \ud83d\udc9b\u2728\u201d
— Biqtch Puddin\u2019 (@Biqtch Puddin\u2019) 1680557007
“Rest in Power @Heklina, the community really lost a Legend today. Was an honor to have gotten to work with you. Sharing a dressing room with this woman is a RIOT to say the least. Y’all def better laugh today, hers was one of the best. 💛✨”
Loosey LaDuca
Divina De Campo
\u201cSuch sad news RIP Heklina x\u201d
— Divina De Campo stream DECODED (@Divina De Campo stream DECODED) 1680594458
“Such sad news RIP Heklina x”
The Vixen
\u201c@PeachesChrist Deepest condolences \ud83d\udc9c\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796
“@PeachesChrist Deepest condolences 💜”
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Eve 6000
\u201cWow. RIP Heklina. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Eve 6000 \ud83e\udd8b (@Eve 6000 \ud83e\udd8b) 1680558470
“Wow. RIP Heklina. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. 💔”
Coco Peru
\u201cI'm heartbroken. We communicated nearly everyday and nothing made me happier than making her cackle. We visited recently and I'm so grateful we spent some time together. \nHeklina, I loved and adored you and my only comfort right now is in knowing that I told you that often.\u201d
— Miss Coco Peru (@Miss Coco Peru) 1680563563
“I'm heartbroken. We communicated nearly everyday and nothing made me happier than making her cackle. We visited recently and I'm so grateful we spent some time together. Heklina, I loved and adored you and my only comfort right now is in knowing that I told you that often.”
Jackie Cox
Orion Story
\u201cRIP to another Drag legend. Heklina you will be missed and cherished by so many \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\ude2d\u201d
— Orion Story (@Orion Story) 1680558962
“RIP to another Drag legend. Heklina you will be missed and cherished by so many ❤️❤️❤️😭”
The Boulet Brothers
\u201cIt is sad and surreal to hear about the unexpected passing of Heklina. She has always been a true & good friend to us who we will miss immensely. She was consistently humble, wise, generous, forgiving, hysterical, & filthy, and will always be an inspiration to us.\u201d
— Boulet Brothers (@Boulet Brothers) 1680566983
“It is sad and surreal to hear about the unexpected passing of Heklina. She has always been a true & good friend to us who we will miss immensely. She was consistently humble, wise, generous, forgiving, hysterical, & filthy, and will always be an inspiration to us.”
Cynthia Lee Fontaine
Crystal
\u201cThis is really fucking awful! Heklina was a drag pioneer and San Francisco legend. I\u2019m very shocked by this.\u201d
— Crystal | Black Lives Matter (@Crystal | Black Lives Matter) 1680553723
“This is really fucking awful! Heklina was a drag pioneer and San Francisco legend. I’m very shocked by this.”
Marti G. Cummings
\u201cHearing of @Heklina passing is heartbreaking. She was a true icon in every sense of the word. Fostering community, making people laugh, & creating safe spaces for us all. She welcomed me openly to San Francisco and my heart is with that SF drag community. \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Marti (@Marti) 1680560243
“Hearing of @Heklina passing is heartbreaking. She was a true icon in every sense of the word. Fostering community, making people laugh, & creating safe spaces for us all. She welcomed me openly to San Francisco and my heart is with that SF drag community. 💔”
Detox
Cheryl Hole
\u201cRIP to a true drag LEGEND, Heklina! \u2764\ufe0f\u201d
— Cheryl Hole (@Cheryl Hole) 1680554451
“RIP to a true drag LEGEND, Heklina! ❤️”
Chi Chi LaRue
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Nina West
Erika Klash
\u201cThis is awful news. Rest in Peace Heklina. :/\u201d
— Erika Klash (@Erika Klash) 1680556493
“This is awful news. Rest in Peace Heklina. :/”
Jaymes Mansfield
Juno Birch
\u201c@PeachesChrist Oh god no \ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Peaches Christ (@Peaches Christ) 1680552796
“@PeachesChrist Oh god no 💔”
Rhea Litre
\u201cTHIS IS A HUGE LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY. @heklina is an Icon who personally took time to teach me so much about drag and traveling with drag. I am heart broken and my heart goes out to @PeachesChrist who had to endure this. We love you #Heklina. \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d
— Drag\u2019s Baddest Bitch (@Drag\u2019s Baddest Bitch) 1680553723
“THIS IS A HUGE LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY. @heklina is an Icon who personally took time to teach me so much about drag and traveling with drag. I am heart broken and my heart goes out to @PeachesChrist who had to endure this. We love you #Heklina. 😭😭”
Victoria Scone
Maebe A Girl
\u201cJust learned the devastating news about legendary icon @Heklina\u2019s passing. RIP to a true drag legend. \ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc94\u201d
— Maebe for Congress (she/they) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Maebe for Congress (she/they) \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1680573847
“Just learned the devastating news about legendary icon @Heklina’s passing. RIP to a true drag legend. 🌈💔”
