The LGBTQ+ community has lost a legendary part of the community (and our history). Stefan Grygelko, a pillar of the San Francisco drag community who performed under the persona Heklina, was found dead Monday in London. Heklina was 54. Heklina was discovered by Peaches Christ (fellow drag performer Joshua Grannell) on Monday morning. The pair had been touring with their stage production “Mommie Queerest,” a parody of the 1981 cult feature “Mommie Dearest,” which was slated for a two-week run at the Soho Theatre. No official cause of death has been released.
“I am shocked and horrified to bring this news to you. I am living in a real-life nightmare so forgive me if I don’t have all the answers just now. This morning, in London, England I went to collect my dear friend Heklina, who is costarring with me in a Mommie Queerest show here, and found her dead,” Peaches Christ wrote in a statement on social media. “Heklina is not just my best friend, but a beloved icon of our community. I am a mess.”
Utterly gutwrenching to be found by your best friend and co-star. RIP you incredible star! You will be missed by many.
I think that drag queens are still the eunuch clown that’s safe to laugh at. It’s definitively not shocking anymore. So I don’t know if America’s really embraced it. The early 90s was when RuPaul [was becoming famous] and it was the first time any drag queen had mainstream exposure. I don’t really see a drag queen breaking out like that [again].
— Heklina, on Feast of Fools in 2006
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