Exclusive: Trannyshack London will not change name, despite US rebrand to T-Shack
PinkNews Exclusive
Trannyshack London has “no plans” to change its name, despite Trannyshack San Francisco announcing a rebrand to T-Shack.
Drag artist Heklina, who has run the legendary San Francisco venue since it opened, announced last week it will become ‘T-Shack’, because the name had become “too political”.
She wrote: “When I started the club (waaaaaay back in 1996) the word ‘tranny’ did not have the charged weight to it that it has today.
“Increasingly, and in the past year especially, it’s become clear to me the meaning the word tranny has taken on.
“I’ve tried to avoid the issue because I’ve spent almost 20 years branding and promoting my club. But more and more, I am asked on the street, in interviews, and online about my thoughts on the word, and the name of my club.
“Time for a rebrand.”
Walt Utz, spokesman for Trannyshack London, told Pink News today that the event, held at Madame JoJo’s in Soho, has no plans to change its name.
He said: “We are actually no longer affiliated with the US Trannyshack, but have the copyright in the UK.
“There are not plans for a re-brand.”
The word has recently been a source of conflict between the drag community and those who see it as a transphobic slur.
Drag artist RuPaul recently said: “It’s not the transsexual community (…) these are fringe people who are looking for story lines to strengthen their identity as victims. That is what we’re dealing with.
“If your idea of happiness has to do with someone else changing what they say, what they do, you are in for a f***ing hard-ass road.
“Don’t you dare tell me what I can do or say. It’s just words. You know what? Bitch, you need to get stronger.”
