Drag queens in London have reported having pints thrown at them and feeling “terrified” travelling in full make-up on public transport, with nearly a third saying they feel less safe in the capital post-Covid.
Performing arts trade union, Equity, asked its members — including drag acts, pole and cabaret dancers, DJs, and comedians — about their experiences performing in London.
Around 28% of gigging performers said an increase in transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, racism and far-right sentiment has left them feeling “terrified” when using public transport to travel to and from venues, while 29% said they felt less safe working with audience than in the years before Covid.
Speaking to The Standard, drag artist Le Fil who competed on the fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race, said they had been very “lucky” with the venues they had performed at being particularly supportive of their work.
But, they said many drag performers and friends have been feeling increasingly unsafe in the capital, particularly at drag story time events in pubs.
“Mothers and children have loved it, but then all of a sudden there’s guys throwing pints and stones,” Le Fil said.
“I go to try and stand up for my community against these guys [...] I have no idea where they’ve been hiding, but all of a sudden it seems something will be said or you’ll see the flags hanging and all these visuals around us makes us feel so uncomfortable.”
“I’m of the mindset where I don’t want to stir or antagonise any fights or situations,” they added, “I try and do my best to shield myself, but yes, this is the situation we are living in at the moment.”
It comes as the trade union is lobbying the Mayor of London’s office to increase worker representation on its Nightlife Taskforce, which it says is almost entirely made up of industry bosses.
Sadiq Khan’s Nightlife Taskforce, established in 2025, is a panel of experts tasked with protecting and boosting London’s nightlife economy, which contributes £140 billion annually.
Entertainers have reported facing regular aggression, and in some cases, violence from members of the public.
Incidents of inappropriate touching during performances have been reported, prompting some venues to remind audiences about consent, though this is sometimes ignored.
At the same time, industry workers have pointed to a shift in drinking habits since the Covid pandemic, which has exacerbated the issue.
Rising bar prices are pushing more people to drink before arriving, while struggling venues are encouraging drinking as they are increasingly reliant on alcohol sales to remain viable.
Performers say this combination has fuelled more volatile environments, with insufficient security on doors leading to a rise in confrontations.
“The world we live in is more homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic, travelling on public transport in full drag makeup is terrifying,” one performer said.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming 98% of respondents said their pay had stagnated, with the average performer earning just £12,411 a year from their entertainment work, which is well below the national median salary of £39,039 and around 68% lower than the London median salary of £49,692.
Only 2% of respondents said that the rates they’ve been receiving have risen in line with the cost of living.
The most common response to the question “On average how much do you earn for a gig in London?” was the range “£100-£199”.
Le Fil says there is a misconception that drag performers all earn large amounts of money, pointing out that this is often based on high-profile stars, rather than the reality for most working queens.
They explained that many performers with smaller followings rely on drag as a side hustle and often have day jobs to support themselves.
They also said that, unlike the US where tipping is common, London’s tipping culture is awful, meaning many performers rely solely on a fixed fee for their work.
But Le Fil continues to work in the industry because they love it — they are a performer and entertainer.
“Nightlife has a special place where people can let loose and enjoy themselves and live their sort superhero life because you can't at work. We want to be there to facilitate that,” Le Fil said.
“And that's why I enjoy doing it. Even throughout all these years when there hasn't been any pay increases, any pay rises, we’re still doing it because we love to do it.
“I think Covid was a time where it really highlighted to us the need for enjoyment, the need for interaction and community and entertainment because we all saw it.
“We needed like a burst of escapism from our real lives and that is what we provide and it is a valid job.
“It is important to culture, is important to enrich people's lives and we need that to be rewarded.
“We've seen LGBTQ bars, clubs, spaces all being closed, left right and centre. Old Compton Street is not like it was 20 years ago.”
Performers reported working an average of 2.11 gigs per week, while spending around £200 a month on travel to and from venues. They also said the average cost of hair, makeup, and costumes per act was £162.
Nick Keegan, Equity’s variety organiser, said it was a “disgrace” that performers’ pay was stagnating, despite the nightlife economy relying heavily on their work, while they face concerns about their safety.
"London’s nightlife culture is world-famous, but it’s being built on the backs of performers who are earning a fraction of a living wage,” he said.
“It is a disgrace that 98% of performers responding to our workforce survey say their pay is stagnating, while they worry about their safety.
“Which is why Equity members are launching the London Nightlife Network, because performers care deeply about London’s nightlife, and know that by coming together they can raise the standards of the industry for all.”
