Drag Kings

A drag king is an individual who is female-bodied yet dresses and acts in manners that are traditionally associated with males, generally for the purpose of entertainment. Performance is a key component. Drag kings differ from cross dressers in that the male persona and clothing are generally adopted as part of an act, and are not used as fetishes. Less wide spread than drag queen acts, drag kings have recently become more popular, and there are now drag king contests in a number of countries.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term drag king first appeared in print in 1972, meaning a “woman masquerading as a man.” Since then, however, the term has generally been reserved for women performing as men, rather than living as one.

Although women who performed in this manner would not have self-identified as drag kings in the past, the phenomenon must be placed in historical context. English Restoration (post 1660 C.E.) theater performances often featured “roaring girls,” female actors dressed in breeches who played male parts. This practice continued into the 19th century in both Britain and the United States. Later, this style would be adopted by some of the early-20th-century blues singers, such as Gladys Bentley, who performed in tuxedoes, and would extend to the impersonation performances in Hollywood and New York, such as the Jewel Box Revue.

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Fudgie Frottage, San Francisco performer and producer of the world's longest-running drag king contest.

Aside from actors, other artists also performed masculinity. One such artist was the writer George Sand, who created a male persona for her writing, but lived life more generally as a woman. On the other hand, the painter Rosa Bonheur adopted male clothing and lived with women, but still maintained a female identity. Although not drag kings per se, women such as these contribute to the rich history of the tradition of male impersonation.

Some infamous women chose to live life entirely as men, though history recognizes them as biologically female. These individuals include Dr. James Barry, a contemporary of Florence Nightingale, and the pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Read, who sailed the Caribbean.

Theorists debate what these historical performances mean. Many believe they present proof that gender roles are not inborn or essential, but rather are constructed through society and interpersonal interactions. Transgender individuals claim these women demonstrate that shifting gender identities have existed throughout time.