The illusion of gender
I am an enigma. I get called sir, sonny or boy more often than Madam, Miss or Mrs. I sit to pee but have the option of standing. I walk that gender line.
I can steal your heart in the blink of an eye but inevitably you will always steal it back. I am your baggage, your queries and your concerns. I am the fool, the magician and the King of Wands.
I came out of the closet but still have many secrets. I get looks from guys with their hands ever so gently placed on their thigh.
I’ve been told that drag kings are limited but have yet to find the boundaries. I can take a beating but still scream at the sight of a spider. Yes, sometimes my life is a drag. I am performance artist, drag king, illusionist. My name is Hans Sparrow – welcome to my world.
The art of the drag king has been around for eons – remember Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night? The Sydney drag king scene has gained momentum over the last decade with regular performers at clubs, dance parties, community TV and troupes such as the Kingpins branching out into the field of multimedia performance art. There is even a DIVA award for Sydney’s Favourite Drag King, which was introduced in 2003.
There are extensive books debating and exploring the art of drag kings and the gender issues that arise. There are even tantalising fictional works that have given life to drag king characters. I must not forget to mention The L Word and the portrayal of both drag kings and transgendered characters.
Drag kings have officially invaded the planet. Most people just don’t know it yet. If you doubt this, simply just jump online – there are hundreds of sites and profiles worldwide.
There are drag king performers from Parramatta to Paris and from Newtown to New York. Drag kings share similar issues and concerns with not only drag queens but everyone in our community. I am fortunate enough to have this space and your time.
I perform when the urge strikes me because I am Hans and being of the Sparrow, I must fly.
