Shane Stark, otherwise known as Anida Tythole, is a seasoned, local drag queen who hosts his own show, Tucked & Loaded, at The Stage in Mission. Stark works closely with local LGBT organizations, and has a wicked sense of humour. Stark was able to chat with The Cascade about life in the Valley as a local, entertainer, and student.
How would you describe your style of drag and the local drag scene?
I’m definitely more of a campier, comedy queen. I don’t like to do glamour, it’s not really my thing. I like to be more fun and out there. There are two different shows out here: there’s more classic glamour, old school drag ? usually music from the ‘80s, that type of stuff ? then there’s my show, where it’s more of a younger crowd. I try to do more current, trendy music and be a little more in-your-face, a little more shocking.
What do you have going on right now for your charity work?
The one organization that I work with mostly is the Fraser Valley Youth Society. It’s an organization that supports LGBT youth here in the Valley, and they run drop-in programs in Mission, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack. There are drop in programs that are LGBT [and ally] friendly. It’s just a safe, open place for young people to be themselves. There’s also staff who are there to support them … especially if they’re looking at their identity and they’re questioning who they are. They can link them to different programs, maybe in regard to transitioning or counselling programs.
Do you think as a drag performer there’s an obligation to do more than just entertain?
For me, wow, I love the entertainment value, but it also gives me the platform and the ability to really … build a community out here. With the Fraser Valley Youth Society, I was able to really work with them, and now that program is growing. And I’m able to link different programs together, find other volunteers, help expand that organization. It’s kind of just a snowball effect. That’s what I love ? to see the community continue to grow.
What do you think SUS or UFV can do to increase visibility of the queer community?
I do know they have one of the largest running clubs: the LGBT or Pride club. But it was actually one of the longest running programs at UFV. I was a part of that for a while, but it’s kind of fallen silent and no one’s stepped up to create events on campus. I did a drag show on campus. It was hugely successful, and it was really busy, but they only did it a few years and then it kind of fizzled, and no one stepped up to coordinate LGBT events recently. Which is a shame because, like I said, they used to. It definitely is a lot of work to put all these events together, but I do know that SUS is hiring a [Pride Commissioner]. That’s definitely a step in the right direction ? hiring someone to create these cool events on campus. And I think that’s the important thing: creating it on campus.
What kind of advice do you have for queer, young adults in the Valley who haven’t found their tribe yet?
Just start getting involved with a bunch of different organizations. There are all sorts of drop-in programs. If you’re youth you can go to those Fraser Valley Youth programs. If you’re more of a young adult you can go to the drag shows. You can volunteer with the Fraser Valley Youth Society. From there you might be able to link with other people and really find your tribe. It’s all about getting involved.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.
