ROCHESTER, N.Y. — ​A local drag icon has returned to the stage after more than a decade to celebrate Pride Month.

Rudi Lott's job is all about community.

"I just derive around working with people and integrating myself in their lives and what they’re doing," Lott said.

She works with the University of Rochester’s Center for Vaccine Research, and it’s her job to recruit participants for their H.I.V. vaccine studies and educate them about the disease.

Ahead of Pride Month, she planned for a kickoff event where her team would be setting up a table to help spread awareness.

"Getting people into our studies and seeing how people are interested in volunteering to come in and be part of something big for the community and the rest of the world is something I like doing," Lott said.

But her involvement with the event doesn’t just end there. She’s actually the big star.

"Very nervous. It’s been over 12 years since I performed," Lott said. "My family is opening up this new place, and they need me and I need them. So that’s why I said yes. I need to get out and do something different."

She’s the aunt of organizers with local entertainment company Phoenix Designs, whose Pride kickoff event involves drag performances.

So Rudi is working to transform, into Lady Foxxxy.

"To me, the misconception is that drag is a man in a dress. But drag is not just that," Lott said. "There are women that do drag, and they call them drag kings. And drag is an expression of yourself."

Even after more than a decade, Foxxxy says it feels good to be back. She says a lot has changed since she came out in the 80s, making the celebration of Pride even more important.

"It’s to celebrate for those who have fallen, and to celebrate those who are becoming," Lott said. "The wheels never stop turning."

And now that Foxxxy is back, her celebration will continue, even past June.

"I’m looking forward to the future in my drag. Because I’ve been cooped up for too long. And I want to do more," Foxxxy said.