Thorgy Thor (pronounced ‘th’ with an orgy) is a drag performance artist, host and musician reining from Brooklyn. Finishing sixth on season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race, she was only one of two queens representing New York City and she was just here as part of Pride month co-hosting RuPaul’s Battle of the Seasons Afterparty at Fly 2.0 with Detox and Toronto’s DJ Mark Falco.

I caught up with Thorgy to talk about her Toronto experience, making art, and mentoring the next generation of queens.

What do you remember most fondly about Toronto and hosting RuPaul’s After-party at Fly 2.0?
Turning the party with my chick Detox. Detox and I have known each other for years. After hosting the after-party at Fly with her, I’m convinced we need to tour together in some capacity. Toronto is such a beautiful city filled with hotties everywhere, and Fly was unbelievably energetic. I can’t wait to be back.

mark falcoThere is a growing awareness and sensitivity to trans and non-gender conforming people. Are you personally experiencing any shifts in people’s perceptions?
I’ve always been a very gender-fluid minded individual. Half of my friends think I’m bisexual!, ha! This whole trans phobic bathroom situation going on in the south is silliness. I often walk right into a women’s bathroom if i have to go. I don’t even think twice, we’re human. If there’s a toilet, just go.

What is the most creative part of your work as a drag queen and why?
It encompasses every aspect of art. Your body is the medium. You can become any character you want. You are an actor, model, dancer, visual artist, musician, comedienne, painter and overall entertainer. There are no limits. You can transcend gender and create an everlasting idea during performance that may change someones life. It’s the best “job” in the world. That and the free booze.

thorny thor theBuzz

You’ve performed music all over (e.g. six major orchestras, Town Hall, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall). Which was your most memorable performance and why?
It was when I performed principle viola at Carnegie hall playing Rite Of Spring, which is ENERGETIC and violent – really demanding of the orchestra. That was one performance I will never forgot. We also performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto in C minor, featuring a 14 year old female pianist who was BRILLIANT! I cried my way through the Adagio. There is nothing like being emotionally moved and transported to another place while playing in a large orchestra. It’s so powerful.

Are you mentoring anyone? If so what advice are you giving them that you never got?
I have a few queens that I consider my little drag family in Brooklyn. I never felt comfortable with the terms ‘mother’, ‘daughter’, but sisters makes sense. I’m very business minded, so I speak very loudly and sternly about how to market yourself, protect yourself and demand respect from shady people who try and take advantage. I urge every queen to pay attention to everything around them and realize they are the magic who are making things happen.

Read the companion articles, DETOXifying Gender [link] in this issue of TheBuzz and Bob The Drag Queen: Changing The World, One Outfit At A Time from our April/May 2016 issue.

Special thank you to the drag professor, Amy Pearl (aka MISS Butter) for your drag insights. Part of theBuzz coverage of Pride Toronto 2016. Images of Thorgy Thor by Logo.

About the Author

Raymond Helkio is an author, director filmmaker, and graduate of Ontario College of Art & Design. He currently lives in both Toronto and New York. His most recent play, LEDUC, is now available in paperback. www.raymondhelkio.com