Ilker Yazici, known by the stage name Miss Putka, discovered his homosexuality during his time in secondary school.
During this period, he encountered LGBT advocacy groups and participated in street demonstrations in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, advocating for LGBT rights while brandishing rainbow flags.
"In the beginning, I faced internal struggles," he recounted. "Growing up in the Middle East presents challenges. I felt isolated, much like many others in the LGBT community."
However, at the age of 23, Ilker embraced his identity openly, inspired by the "RuPaul's Drag Race" series on Netflix, viewing drag not just as entertainment but as a means of self-expression.
"To me, drag is a form of political activism," he declared. "When the audience sees me, they may perceive me as peculiar. Yet, I'm gradually acclimating them to unfamiliar sights."
Following last year's election campaign in Turkey, during which President Tayyip Erdogan denounced LGBT groups as deviant and pledged to uphold traditional family values, many within the LGBT community now live in fear.
Although homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, societal hostility towards it remains pervasive.
Ilker's conservative father remains oblivious to his drag persona, while other relatives are aware of his performances, which occur every Friday and Saturday night, yet none have dared to inform his father.
"When I step onto the stage as a drag queen, the makeup serves as a shield," Ilker reflected. "As Miss Putka, I exude confidence and am open to communication, a trait I lack in my personal life."
Currently studying industrial design at Marmara University in Istanbul, Ilker contemplates pursuing performing arts in Spain. "As long as I remain healthy, I'll continue performing," he affirmed.
While Ilker harbors no concerns about his drag performances, he expresses apprehension about his future in Turkey.
"The uncertainty of what lies ahead troubles me," he confessed. "The future here is so unpredictable."
‘You have to behave with respect’
Ilker could never have envisioned his path towards becoming a drag artist when, as a teenager, he pilfered his mother's black sequined blouse from her wardrobe for his inaugural performance in 2019.
At the time, he was engrossed in preparing for university entrance exams and slipped out of the house under the guise of retrieving a forgotten book from the library.
"I hacked a pair of black jeans into shorts and donned them beneath my mother's blouse, paired with silver seven-centimeter heels and a borrowed lilac wig," he recalled.
"Despite my alarming makeup and attire, the audience erupted into wild applause, and I felt like a luminary."
Hailing from Ankara, Ilker embarked on a two-year journey across the country to showcase his talents at GZone, a gay lifestyle magazine's events. During this period, he began sourcing costumes and footwear from thrift stores and flea markets.
When Miss Putka, christened after a colloquial term for the vagina, commenced her performances at XL, a renowned nightclub in Istanbul, it transcended mere hobbyism to become a steady profession. Prior to his inaugural professional showcase at the club, he underwent a month-long training regimen under the guidance of Russian dancers who shared the stage with him.
"The venue is vast. I have a cadre of dancers behind me and a tailor on standby to cater to my whims," he remarked.
Initially irked by patrons who disregarded his performances and treated him disrespectfully at their tables, he soon learned to assert himself.
"I began asserting, 'I am employed here, and you must accord me respect.' They offered their apologies."
Assuming the role of stage manager, he coordinated a team of approximately 15 individuals. Seasoned drag performers advised him to incorporate choreography to narrate a tale and broaden the appeal of his shows. Thus, he introduced renditions of popular Lady Gaga tracks.
Miss Putka's ensemble, reminiscent of a nun, complete with a vivid red cross adorning her head, drew inspiration from American singer Todrick Hall, a former choreographer and judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race". Although her performance, featuring a five-minute display, garnered acclaim, it is not his personal favorite.
"I adore the routine where I emit flames from my conical breasts while belting out Rihanna tunes."
