Rest in Power, Heklina!
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
Trixie Mattel
Bianca Del Rio
Shea Couleé
BenDeLaCreme
Yvie Oddly
Raja
Lady Camden
Lady Bunny
Ginger Minj
Laganja Estranja
Milk
Jackie Beat
Pandora Boxx
Nicky Doll
Peppermint
Biqtch Puddin’
Loosey LaDuca
Divina De Campo
The Vixen
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Eve 6000
Coco Peru
Jackie Cox
Orion Story
The Boulet Brothers
Cynthia Lee Fontaine
Crystal
Marti G. Cummings
Detox
Cheryl Hole
Chi Chi LaRue
Nina West
Erika Klash
Jaymes Mansfield
Juno Birch
Rhea Litre
Victoria Scone
