"I respect that, but I wouldn't want a child like that in my home." This is how people in Seville feel about LGBT+ citizens, says Spanish drag queen Skoria
Hello, Skorio! Would you please introduce yourself briefly?
Hello too! I'm Skoria, a Seville artist who broke into the world of drag three years ago. You might ask why the artistic name Skoria - the Spanish word escoria actually means human waste, so I wanted to play around with it a bit and elevate it in my performances, which on the contrary are rather pompous, as well as trying to uplift the LGBT+ community from prejudice.
How would you describe Seville in 3 words?
Art, passion, tradition.
What is the LGBT+ community like in Seville? Do you think it's different from bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona? If so, how? Does it have any specificities that other cities don't have?
In terms of the freedom that characterises our community in general, I would say that Seville is very traditional. Certainly it is different - Madrid and Barcelona are cities that offer much more diversity, there are more people, more places, more opportunities, more freedom and exuberance. To me, what most describes Seville is its charm and the way it draws people in. There is no one in Spain who doesn't know that Seville has a special colour*.
*"Seville has a special colour" is a song by a local band called Los del Río, which was written in 1992 for the World Expo that was held there. The song celebrates the city and the special colour is figuratively its charm. Los del Río are best known for their hit song Macarena.
In the centre you can often see signs saying " Seville: the city of sexual diversity", do you think this is really the case? Is Seville a city where one is free to be oneself without much prejudice?
Yes and no, Seville is on the surface a city that seems to be full of free-thinking, but that impression is far from reality. Religion has a lot to do with the mentality of the people here, which is rather traditional. To describe it better, the attitude is "I respect it, but I wouldn't want a child like that at home".
When I think of the city center again, the smell of incense on every corner and memories of majestic Easter parades come to me, which makes me think that religion has a lot of weight here. What do you think? If so, how does this reality translate into LGBT+ culture?
I think it carries a lot of weight. LGBT+ culture in Seville is very religious, although the church is not usually our biggest ally. However, I believe that the two worlds are not mutually exclusive as long as the freedom of each individual is respected.
Seville is also famous for its own Pride parade, is there anything special that should prompt a visit?
Definitely. Pride in Seville grows every year and evolves in both prestige and recognition. It has become one of the most important Prides on a national level. This is, in my opinion, a great honour. What should attract visitors, besides the art and its locals, who are specific in their charm in Seville, is the opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful cities, both from a historical and LGBT+ point of view.
Let's move on to the nightlife, what can visitors expect from your show?
That's something I shouldn't be answering myself. (Laughs) But from what I hear, and the reactions every time I walk off stage after a show, I'd say magic. Skoria carries something that I'm not sure any other drag queen carries, and it's something amazing. To have such a dedicated audience that has nothing but nice words for me is something magnificent. I'd also like to point out that whoever comes to my show is sure not to miss the next one.
Following on from the previous question, do you feel that the nightlife in Seville has changed since you started, for example due to mainstream giants like reality show RuPaul's Drag Race expanding into Spain and drag queens becoming more mainstream? Or is the Seville scene more of a loyal audience full of familiar faces?
Seville has more of a loyal audience full of familiar faces, although it is true that, especially during the holidays, new faces can be seen in the audience who want to appreciate the work of local artists and, for example, snap instead of applaud, which is something special that RuPaul's Drag Race has brought culturally.
One fanciful question: if you could choose any venue in Seville for your performance, what would it be and why?
In my, albeit short, career so far, I've been lucky enough to perform in some of the best LGBT+ clubs, but I'd also like to be ambitious and perform in spaces not only dedicated to our community, because that would mean drag breaks down barriers and destroys stigmas.
Finally, I'd like to know if you think there is something to improve in Seville for the LGBT community? If so, what do you think it could be?
Yes, there is something to improve. There is a lack of funding, media coverage and social support for LGBT+ individuals in need. The next point would be to get conversations like this one, which I respect incredibly because they are hugely important, to not have to advocate for the harsh realities of our community, but for our society to collectively come to the end of LGBT+ phobia.
Thank you so much for giving us your time, I wish you every success and I can't wait to shout your name at a speaking engagement sometime soon.
Follow Skoria on Instagram, you can look forward to seeing footage of performances or the glamour of this Spanish drag queen in many photos: @skoriaofficial
Sun, sangría and Seville or the LGBT+ community in the heart of Spanish Andalusia
With a population of almost 700,000, Seville is the capital of the Spanish autonomous region of Andalusia. In addition to its magnificent historical monuments and art with a touch of Arabic culture, it is the centre of the local LGBT+ community, where there is something for everyone. By day, you can let yourself be swept away by the laid-back Spanish lifestyle in one of the many LGBT-friendly cafes, while at night you can sway your hips to the rhythms of flamenco, pop classics or Latin reggaeton. What makes this city special and distinctive compared to others in this country? That's what selected members of the community from the sunny south of the Iberian Peninsula will tell us in a series of interviews over five weeks.
