In Memory of Steffan Whitfield - Press Tributes

Tribute to Steffan in TV Repartee magazine issue 50 Autumn 2005

Here is the text of the editorial published in issue 50 or Repartee magazine
Steffan Whitfield, From WayOut Club and House of Drag, sadly died at the end of July following a year-long fight against cancer. We would like to offer our condolences to his family and friends and in particular to Vicky Lee, his long-standing partner at the WayOut Club.
In a number of interviews Steffan said, "If I manage to educate one person in my life, about living outside of the box that society tries to put us in, then I will have done some good." Steffan did much for the TG community and he will be very sadly missed. He was just thirty-nine years old. During his brave fight with cancer Steffan told his sister Jan, I have "no regrets . . . I had a ball".
We very much hope to have a very special and fitting tribute to Steffan in the next issue of Repartee. The last word here goes to Vicky Lee as she describes the friend she has lost: "A beautiful man and a beautiful woman but most importantly a beautiful person and loved by so many."

Double page Tribute to Steffan in TV Repartee magazine issue 51 January 2006

Here is the text of this editorial published in issue 51 or Repartee international written by Vicky Lee

How does Steffan Whitfield fit into the evolution of transgender and the world of 'Roses Repartee'? The first time that, the already extrovert, Steffan "dragged up" was to enter a contest. The experience changed his life. He had already accepted the feminine part of himself and as an 'out' gay guy, with a supportive family, he had none of the fear of discovery that many 'Roses' including myself have struggled with. However Steffan never once saw "drag" as an opportunity to shock or an opportunity to belittle women through a panto pastiche. Steffan loved women, especially strong women, and for him "drag" was a way to enhance himself. Like a super hero the make-up, wig and clothes gave him the strength and power he admired in many women. There were tims he would go home after a long night and next day he would tell me that he sat in front of the mirror for many hours "I could not take it off" he said.

I refer to Steffan as him, despite the fact that for the first three years of our 14 year relationship I was over-awed by the beauty of his female image and struggled to "know" the real person behind the make-up. Steffan was a beautiful man as well as a stunning woman. As a man he shared the good looks of Leonardo De Caprio, so much so that from the circle of London's Leicester Square I involuntarily shouted out "STEFFAN" as I saw Leonardo at the top of the first-class staircase in the film 'Titanic'. Though some who met him called him Stephany - Steffan always used his full male name. In those first years of "drag" Steffan would call himself a "female impersonator", (in the then USA context), but in the last four years of his life he moved, at least in his mind, to a more transsexual position accepting and enjoying the love of a man who thought of him as a woman and spending more time with transsexuals and inbetweenies. At this time he said to me "I don't think I am gay anymore - I think I have evolved to something else".

If you met Steffan, like me, you may have found him at first awesome. I feel that this was both an advantage and a disadvantage for him (and you). This "awe" sometimes held others at a distance giving him the advantage of being able to better choose, who he brought close to him. Some may imagine that he might only have chosen the glamorous, and it would be true that he was drawn to glamour - but this was the downfall because in truth he was also drawn to EVERY type of person - I was constantly surprised at the depth of friendships that he forged with those, (and I include myself), who were more mouse than glamour puss. These friendships keep revealing themselves as one after another person, tells me the personal stories of Steffan's long conversations on the phone, private make-up lessons and presents of wigs, shoes etc that quietly went on in the background, unknown, even to me.

The most important thing that shines from Steffan's life is the fact that his love had truly NO boundaries. Steffan would always say that at The WayOut Club "Age, race, sexuality & gender have NO boundary and É neither does LOVE" But this was truly his life's belief - his creed - It went far beyond the doors of the club. He never had a bad word for anyone. Steffan gave time and love to people from all backgrounds, all nationalities whether powerful, rich, slow or poor. The level at which he gave un-conditional love has been an inspiration to me. He challenges me (and you) to put aside prejudice and live without it corrupting our lives. The second important thing about Steffan is that he inspired and encouraged others to perform. It is true that Steffan was never happier than at centre stage but he was equally happy to watch others experience the same joy that was in his heart. Many of us who may never have otherwise believed in ourselves, have been given a gift through his generosity, and love for entertainment. In interviews just shortly before his un-timely death with both Vibeke Bryld and Jodie Lynn, Steffan said; "If I manage to educate one person in my life - about living outside of the box that society tries to put us in - then I will have done some good."

I am sure that you will agree with me that in this desire he has more than succeeded. Furthermore you can trust that at The WayOut Club I will ensure that his beliefs will never die and that all will be welcome to enjoy what he helped to start. A melting pot of respect for those that respect others, and a place to entertain and be entertained.

Tribute to Steffan in Forum magazine Vol 1 Issue 5 2005

Tribute to Steffan in What's On Magazine 31st August 05

A BEAUTIFUL MAN AND A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

Viv Buzi at a celebration of the life of the late Steffan Whitfield

We're constantly being told that everything is either black or white. But there is perhaps no better example of the large grey area in between than the WayOut Club, whose co-founder, Steffan Whitfield, died on July 29, aged 39. According to Vicky Lee, his partner in the Club, Steffan was "a beautiful man and a beautiful woman". But Steffan was much more than a drag queen. At the WayOut Club's celebration of his life on August 20, it becomes clear that he had discovered an alternative lifestyle that gave him joy, ("No regrets. I've had a ball," - he told his sister shortly before his death), and wanted to pass on what he had learned to others. Many of the 20 acts who perform in his memory are those inspired by Steffan to express their inner selves. In some cases this involved surgery, in others just dressing up, but the common factor is pride. "Miss Whitfield is all about performance" says commere Vicky.

Little known outside the tranny circuit, Steffan was actually one of its biggest stars. He first appeared in drag in 1986, when he won the Night of 1000 Frocks contest at London's Hippodrome. He got such a buzz from the audience reception that his life changed overnight. He appeared in cabaret as Marilyn Monroe and Madonna, then with Vicky as half a quartet named Dragmania. Steffan and Vicky's WayOut Club, founded in 1993, was one of the clubs that catered to a new market. The name "WayOut" was intentionally ambiguous, implying both eccentricity and, according to Vicky, an escape "for those that didn't quite fit in elsewhere, especially those that cross-dressed for whatever reason."

I am forever applauding diversity in clubs, but the crowd at the WayOut Club, which I've never visited before opens my eyes to a world I thought I knew but didnt. Here are glam drag queens straight out of Drag Idol. But also truckers in wigs and a bit of lippy. And also straight-looking chavs. And also very old gents in slacks. And also young couples of indeterminate sexuality, who like the anything-goes atmosphere thus created. No wonder Vicky describes the WayOut Club as an enigma: "Not quite part of the fetish scene. And strangely enough (in some eyes) not quite part of the transgender scene".

The performers pay tribute to the man who helped people to live "outside of the box that society tries to put us in." It's been put together by Miss Ambre. Steffan asked her to sing "Somewhere" from West Side Story, whose lyrics stress the importance of surviving within an intolerant society "Miss Whitfield created the opportunity for people to develop," says Vicky, introducing Sarah Lee, a mature newcomer blissfully happy in her new persona. Perhaps the best-known performer is old trouper Ruby Venezuela, still strutting her stuff to perfection. The entire company assembles to sing "We Are Family" becuase, as Vicky reminds us, "the words are so special,"Darius once talked about there being "so much love in this room" and, as naff as that sounds, tonight it's palpable.

Steffan Whitfield, 1965-2005 RIP You may contact Viv Buzi by email at vivbuzi@f2s.com

Tribute to Steffan in Boyz Magazine 6th August 05

Tribute to Steffan in Boyz Magazine 27th August 05

Tributes sent to QX magazine requesting Steffan's picture to be used on the cover

Miss Kimberley - Hello Cliff darling and how are you? I am writing to you because myself and the rest of the drag community would be most grateful if yourself and the QX team would celebrate an exceptional human being on your front cover, Steffan who past after a long battle with cancer. I look forward to your reply. Miss Kimberley

Nicholas Drewry, General Manager, Aviva - To the editor, QX Hi, my name is Nicholas Drewry and I am writing to you in reference to the sad passing of Steffan from 'The WayOut Club'. As a member of the Londons gay community I believe that a tribute should be paid to Steffan, and feel that a cover of your wonderful magazine would be perfect. Please see it in your hearts to do this . . . it would mean so much to so many people. Regards Nik

Gary Dahling, Too 2 Much - I am sending you this mail to let you know what a perfect beautiful mate I had in Steffan from The WayOut Club, he was one of the first people to pick me up off the floor and reach out to me at those very very early days of Orange (surrey keys days). He was a great asset to the scene and indeed to this fucked up city. Please do not let this drag legend pass without a fitting tribute on the cover of your magazine. Regards Gary x

Darcy - I'm writing to you because our beloved Drag sister has passed away, Steffan from The WayOut Club. Steffan who was a very important person on our gay and drag scene dedicated his life bringing happiness to all. I strongly feel that his life should be celebrated on the cover of QX magazine. Thanks so much Darcy

Tribute to Steffan in QX magazine 10th August 05

Tribute to Steffan in QX magazine 17th August 05