G Spot x ParaPride: Introducing Asifa Lahore

about me

I am a proud trans woman, drag artist, host, singer and DJ performing in clubs, theatres and venues in the UK and internationally and I aim to push the boundaries of what it means to be LGBT, South Asian and Muslim. 

I first came into the national spotlight in 2014 when I was censored by the Birmingham Central Mosque from discussing Islam and Homosexuality on BBC Free Speech, causing an uproar in the British press and allowing me the rare opportunity to speak openly about the topic.

I featured in Channel 4’s groundbreaking documentary Muslim Drag Queens in 2015 and in the same year was honoured by Attitude Magazine Pride Award for activism and increasing visibility of the ‘Gaysian’ community. 

I made my acting debut in the Iris Prize 2022 winner, Queer Parivaar, directed by Shiva Raichandani and in the same year featured in the BAFTA TV nominated Always, Asifa which documented the lead up to my gender affirming procedure. 

I regularly speak on intersectionality, race, sexual orientation, gender, disability and religion matters and have featured in the Lost Lectures, Channel 4 Diversity Festival, Women of the World Festival, the British Library and the Oxford Union. 

how I got involved with parapride

I am passionate about disability rights as I am severely sighted and suffer from Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic eye disease which causes progressive sight loss. Becoming an Ambassador to ParaPride is a huge honour. As a queer person with a disability I find it important to take up space and to be present.

I was recently invited to speak at a ParaPride community event in celebration of the 2024 LGBT History Month, and it was a fantastic experience being able to share my story with others who are faced with similar, but unique experiences. It really highlights the importance of representation of people from intersectional groups, in all of their many forms and being able to have unfiltered conversations about what it means to live in a world that unfairly treats people in its efforts to define them.

As I continue in my role working with ParaPride, I hope to be able to share awareness of our mission to ensure that every LGBTQ+ disabled person has the right to feel safe, welcome and included.

my experience of intersectionality

I am British, South Asian, Pakistani, Muslim, Queer, Trans, Disabled. I have always struggled to make space for all my identities and how they intersect. With time I have learnt to be accommodating and make space for this intersection, and it is my goal to be able to support others in celebrating all elements of their identities as I have.

three things that give me pride

1.

I am proud of my community.

2.

I am proud of being a British South Asian Queer person.

3.

I am proud that I get to exist authentically.