On referencing the name of a transgender person before their transition (better explained in OP)

Is that the case with most all Drag queens/performers, while in drag call them she, but out of drag I believe most go by he.

Even Gottmik, trans male in drag is she, out of drag, he.

RuPaul doesn’t give a fig either way.

RuPaul is noted among famous drag queens for his indifference towards the gender-specific pronouns used to address him—both “he” and “she” have been deemed acceptable . "You can call me he. You can call me she. You can call me Regis and Kathie Lee; I don’t care!

You’re probably right about that.

Wouldn’t that be true by definition? Someone who identifies as female, and then wears female clothes, isn’t a drag queen; she’s just a woman.

How one identifies personally is the only requirement really, clothes even personal grooming don’t make the man or woman?

I don’t think drag queens are the same as trans people. I’m neither, so open to being corrected, but AIUI drag queens are actors playing a part. Trans people aren’t playing a part; they’re just being who they are.

They certainly are not and I didn’t mean to imply that. The topic had drifted to how non-trans people deal with name changes and pronouns so it was a bit of a hijack. Apologies.