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Drag Race star wants film viewed with 'open mind'

Maisie LillywhiteGloucestershire
News imageAmazon Prime Video Wegrzyn has a ginger quiff and beard and looks out of a train window as it moves down the tracks, deep in thought. They have two black earrings in their ears and are wearing a green and grey jumper. Amazon Prime Video
Wegrzyn, known as Copper Topp, starred in season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race and said they hope the documentary will show "we're all just people"

A RuPaul's Drag Race UK star says they hope people will watch their new documentary on the LGBTQ+ community with "an open mind".

Simon Wegrzyn, who appeared in the fourth series of the hit TV show as their drag persona Copper Topp, created and stars in Amazon Prime's Living Out Loud.

Wegrzyn, who is a lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire (UoG), said the programme looks at why the UK has fallen from first place in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights to 22nd place in a decade.

"I want people who don't identify as LGBTQ+ to watch it with an open mind. To listen, to empathise, and hopefully come away recognising that we're all just people," they said.

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Wegrzyn said the film combined personal storytelling with wider social and political issues and the experiences of other LGBTQ+ people across the country.

"The more we understand each other, the less room there is for fear or demonisation," they added.

News imagePhoebe Ashley A lecturer with a ginger quiff and beard smiles as they point at a clapperboard being held by a female university student with long blonde hair. The lecturer is wearing a black leather gilet over the top of a green hoodie, while the student is wearing a green cardigan over a black vest top and a stack of necklaces.Phoebe Ashley
The University of Gloucestershire lecturer gave drama and performance practice student Phoebe Ashley (pictured) the chance to gain experience on set

Wegrzyn was able to bring final year UoG drama and performance practice students LJ King and Phoebe Ashley onto the set to gain first-hand experience.

Ashley, who followed the production crew as they filmed interviews and introductory shots in London, said: "It was so exciting... I haven't had the opportunity to be involved in anything like that."

She said she is now considering moving to the capital.

News imagePhoebe Ashley Two university students - one with long blonde hair and another with shoulder-length purple hair - pose in a shop as they try on sunglasses.Phoebe Ashley
LJ King (right), pictured here with Phoebe Ashley (left), said it is easy for young people in the LGBTQ+ community to "feel like there isn't any hope"

King said they had experienced worsening discriminatory comments about their gender identity and sexuality, and said giving LGBTQ+ voices a platform was "crucial".

"I think it's important, not just for like older generations to watch, I think the documentary in itself is so good for younger generations or queer people," they said.

"It's really easy when you see things in the news... to be discouraged and feel like there isn't any hope.

"There's communities in every city that you go to, you just have to find them. And to be able to give all those people a voice in a documentary form is a way of bringing hope to those younger generations."

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