LGBTQ+ communities, allies and drag artists are to come together in London on Monday, March 31 for a protest march to “demand justice for Heklina and every person impacted unfairly by London’s Metropolitan Police as a result of the force’s homophobia”.
In February 2025, Met Police issued an apology over its investigation into the death of American drag artist Steven Grygelko, aka Heklina, who was found dead at a flat in Soho, London, by their friend Joshua Grannell aka Peaches Christ in April 2023.
Mr Grannell said he was “furious” it had taken almost two years for police to make a public appeal to find three men, who detectives say were at the flat hours before Mr Grygelko was discovered. Detectives only released CCTV footage in January of three men who may have “vital information” about what happened.
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Mr Grannell, who has blamed the force of “homophobia”, described his friend as a “trailblazer” who had opened the doors for many other drag artists.
“Heklina was maybe one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She was dark and hilarious and what she didn’t want the world to know was that she was secretly kind.
“Quietly behind the scenes, she was constantly helping people out. But the deal was you couldn’t tell people.”
Speakers at the protest, will include Peaches Christ, Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic, Cheddar Gorgeous, Crystal, with more to be announced.
The protest will gather at Big Ben at 10am before marching 0.9 miles along the Embankment to the Met Police HQ where there will be speeches and peaceful protest till 12pm.
Placards encouraged! If you choose to bring placards, they must not be larger than 100 cm x 50 cm.
