Drag performer Gender Slay Quoi just celebrated their first drag-a-versary, and the person behind the performance – area resident Deanne Service – sometimes still feels like it’s her first day.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we spoke with Service, 27, drag performer and dance studio co-owner.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born here in Collingwood. I went to public school in Thornbury and high school in Meaford.
Q: What did you do after you graduated high school?
A: My sister and I own a dance studio together, so that’s what I do full-time.
I’ve been teaching dance since I was 14. I was with another studio and when I graduated, I was teaching with them.
After a few years, we went our own ways, and my sister and I decided to open our own. It’s called Active Arts and we have locations in Thornbury and Wasaga Beach.
Q: When did you first know dance was your thing?
A: I started dancing when I was four. I took a break at 10, and then got back into it in high school.
I think if I wouldn’t have taken that break, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.
I’ve always loved working with kids. Is started volunteering with kids through my local figure skating club when I was in Grade 5.
I never really wanted to be a professional dancer.
When I was asked to teach dance, I had been considering going into nursing with a focus on children, but I realized I hated hospitals. Then, I considered being a teacher.
When someone asked me to teach dance, I figured I could do the two together.
That’s really where I found I was happy and most myself. It’s what I love the most.
Q: When did you start wading into drag performing?
A: My drag-a-versary was this past June. I’ve only been doing it for a year.
Q: What made you want to try that as a form of expression?
A: I had been thinking about it off and on, seeing drag shows around town, and I was introduced to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
In mainstream media you’re only seeing drag queens, so I never really thought, as a cis woman, it was something I’d be able to do.
I knew that if I were to do it, I’d want to do both feminine and masculine drag. I didn’t want to be stuck as either a drag king or drag queen, I just wanted to perform and be fluid on either side.
I went on a trip with some friends and we were sitting around a table with margaritas, and we all went around and talked about what our drag names would be.
I said I thought it would be gender-bending and trying to find a balance.
One of my friends said, “Oh you’re trying to find a balance, like je ne sais quoi? What about Gender Sais Quoi?”
It turned into Gender Slay Quoi. It steamrolled.
I performed for the first time in June 2023, and it’s snowballed.
Q: Who is Gender Slay Quoi?
A: Gender Slay Quoi goes by they/she/he. It doesn’t really matter – it’s about pushing the gender binary and how gender is perceived.
For me, it’s about having that freedom to explore both sides. When I started in drag, I wasn’t doing it for the first time. I used to do it all the time as a kid. When I figure skated, I loved playing the male roles. I loved the idea of testing people’s perceptions.
Gender Slay Quoi is about enjoying it for what it is without having that answer of, what are they, and who are they.
If you’re enjoying it, why do you care?
Q: You were the only local performer that performed on the main stage as part of Collingwood Pride’s big show. How did that feel for you?
A: It was very big. I was very honoured. I took that very seriously.
I’m someone who puts a lot of thought and time into what I’m doing, whether it’s a big show or a small show.
I like to think I stood my ground with a lot of major names who have been doing it for a lot longer. That meant a lot for me.
Q: What does the future hold for your drag?
A: Lots of things. I had a lot that I did this year.
I filmed two music videos with Priyanka, who headlined Collingwood Pride.
I applied for and performed in Starry Night.
In the next year, I’d like to break in to more of the Toronto drag scene, but less on the bar front. I don’t mind bar shows, it’s just not where I feel my trajectory wants to go. I’d like to do larger-production shows, and produce my own show at some point.
I’ve applied for a few other shows being casted.
We’ll see.
It’s not my full-time job and I don’t plan on that. I love what I do on a daily basis, and drag is something I do that’s added.
As an adult, it’s harder to find chances to perform.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: In the summer I’m a big camper, like back-country camping with a portage over multiple days. I think we live in a province that offers so much of it.
I live by the water for a reason. We get the best of the water, forest and the mountains.
I’m a social butterfly. I have a lot of friends.
We also live in a great area for restaurants. It doesn’t take much to get me to go out and try new places.
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: I’m sure there’s lots of things. I’m a pretty friendly person and I like to talk to people.
I’ve had a lot of great opportunities and experiences over the past year.
It always feels like Day 1. I still get nervous. I have moments of, what am I doing? How did I get here?
There’s a lot to remember when seeing someone perform in your community, that there’s a person underneath, behind the persona.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we speak with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature runs on CollingwoodToday every weekend. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
