Valerie Mason-John

Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John (formerly known as Queenie) Once celebrated as one of Britain’s Black Gay Icons, their legacy includes serving as Artistic Director for the Pride Arts Festival and London Mardi Gras Arts Festival, co-hosting the iconic National Lesbian Beauty Contest and Drag King and Queen Contest, and promoting Europe’s largest women’s club night, Queenie’s at the Fridge in Brixton.

Having retired from the party scene, they now work as a trauma and addiction specialist.

An acclaimed author and editor of 11 books, they have been hailed by Dr. Ken Hardy as "one of the premier social, cultural, and psychological healers of our time."