Creature Feature: Eden Flesh

At her last performance in September for The Bad Kids Collective Anniversary Show, Eden Flesh took the stage to “Generation Why,” a dark, new track from musician ZHU. “My idea behind it was how we’re reliving the revolution of the ’70s again with the rave scene. It’s like Woodstock in a way—that culture of love and being free.” Higley really radiates that idea of free love, and even I can feel it just sitting across from him at the café. He gently explains to me that he understands it isn’t an easy preaching to practice. But he has a solid understanding that it’s with love that we can teach others to have more compassion in and out of the drag community. “I really want people to recognize that just because they’re in a progressive way of thinking, not everyone else has the luxury of being as educated to the same level as others,” he says. “Sometimes the sensitivity towards others is a little harsh. And I understand why, because most of us have been discriminated against. However, the best way to teach people is … to be patient with them rather than get angry.”

I can feel myself uncontrollably nodding in agreement, and I’m enthralled that this individual in front of me is expressing something so significant in the midst of all the makeup and club kid talk. He finishes by reminding me that each of us needs to remember we’re all at different points in our education. That doesn’t mean we can meet ignorance with defensive anger. Along with that idea, he explains the importance of maintaining balance between the feminine and masculine. “Balance between a masculine and feminine energy is very strong,” Higley says. “Both have so much to offer, and if you can tap into both, you can find your full self.” I’m in love with what he’s saying so much that I’m having a hard time keeping myself from planting a fat kiss on his cheek for so eloquently phrasing something all us creatures know to be true.

Even the most frigid desert towns can birth the warmest creatures that radiate optimism for a more gender-equal and body-positive future. Be sure to check out Eden Flesh on Nov. 4 at Metro Music Hall with local artists Indi Skies, Opal Ascension, and Obsidian alongside RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 winner Bob The Drag Queen and support some of the leading ladies of drag.