Drag Race UK: Bimini Bon Boulash 'honoured' by mural

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Mural of drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash reads: Bimini babes, watch the queen conquer, whether you're he, she or them, hashtag Trans Rights.Image source, Knapple
Image caption,

Bimini Bon Boulash was a finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two

Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash said a mural painted in their honour has left them "blown away".

Bimini, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, said the mural in the Pottergate underpass in Norwich was a "beautiful thing".

It was painted on Wednesday by local artist Knapple, with help from transgender activist Sharpay Salazar.

The flag in the background celebrates Bimini's advocacy, as a non-binary person, for the transgender community.

Image source, BBC/World of Wonder
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Bimini said the artwork was "heartwarming and beautiful to see"

"Growing up around that area, I think I really lacked a queer presence, so it really makes me so happy that there's more happening," Bimini said.

"I think it's just such a beautiful thing to see the art of people, thank you so, so much."

Bimini was a runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race UK series two and was praised for speaking openly with fellow star Ginny Lemon about being non-binary, and their experience as part of the LGBT community.

Media caption,

Norfolk queen Bimini spills the tea on the Drag Race UK journey

Salazar said: "I'm super proud of Bimini's journey on the show - even though they didn't win they still won our hearts.

"They've opened the doors to many, many discussions that are going to affect people's lives for the better."

She became friends with Knapple after the graffiti artist's Black Lives Matter mural was shared on social media last summer, and jumped at the opportunity to work on a piece together.

Image source, BBC/World of Wonder
Image caption,

Bimini was in the bottom two in the first week of series two, but made it all the way to the final

Image source, Sharpay Salazar
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Sharpay Salazar said she expected a mural to take days, but it only took a few hours

Salazar had never painted before, but said she found the experience "therapeutic".

She said: "Honestly, I never expected it to get the response it's had. And for Bimini to see, and comment on how proud of it they are, it really blew my mind."

Knapple planned the mural, and felt it was important to get Salazar involved as a member of the trans community.

"I just thought it would be really great to get someone involved who has something to say, so the words were all hers, and the portrait was mine. It was a joint effort," they said.

Image source, BBC/World of Wonder
Image caption,

Bimini's first Drag Race UK runway look was an homage to Norwich City Football Club

Image source, Sharpay Salazar
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Sharpay painted all the lettering on the mural

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