As a city, Toronto is proud enough of its own performers to give as many locals the stage as possible, but sometimes we like to bring in special talent from south of the border just to keep our locals on their toes. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Kitt Kavanaugh, Mr Pittsburgh 2015 himself, will be performing as part of the Drag ON! spectacle at Yonge-Dundas Square on June 27 between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me means having the courage and bravery to stand up and be your true and authentic self no matter what other people have to say.

What are you most looking forward to this Pride?
I’m most looking forward to seeing friends and making new ones. I’m also excited to get the chance to perform for so many people.

What do you love most about being a drag king?
The thing I love the most about being a drag king is how much I get to interact with people. Whether its during a performance or not, being a king has allowed me to interact with so many people I may not have had the opportunity to otherwise.

Who is your favourite artist to perform?
My favorite artists to perform are Michael Bublé.and Nick Jonas. I like to perform a variety of different types of music.

What inspires you to be a drag performer?
The audience and myself. I like to make people happy, and to see people smile and enjoying themselves during a performance is a wonderful experience. Being a drag king has boosted my confidence in so many ways and gives me a great outlet. It’s a thrilling experience to be on stage.

What year and song are you representing on stage at Yonge-Dundas Square for the Drag On event?
I will be doing a mix of old Hollywood musical songs on the Yonge-Dundas Square stage.

Kitt Kavanaugh will be performing on Saturday, June 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the Pride Toronto festival

About the Author

Judy Virago is a transgender writer and performer living in Toronto. A background in theatre, activism and government social policy has informed her interest in transgender rights and visibility. She is the co-founder of the queer art collective The House of Filth and was voted "Runner Up" for Now Magazine's Best Toronto Drag Queen 2015. She takes her inspiration from fierce, fabulous creatures who have soared to stardom, fallen from grace, and clawed their way back to the top.