Drag Kings Thrive in Tasmania's Queer Arts Scene

Sitting on stage, rolling a durry, donning a mullet and lip syncing about Centrelink, drag king Dirty Damo is in his element.

Out of drag, Damo is Soph Keegan, a Tasmanian mum who's always loved performing.

But in drag, Dirty Damo has been a bogan, hip-thrusting and occasionally pole-dancing performer who is a thriving part of the Hobart queer arts scene.

"Being raised as a woman you go through these things of being told to not take up space, to be smaller, to be quiet," she said.

"I realised there's this side to me that loves being a larrikin and there's that masculinity to me that we all have."

Dirty Damo is one of a handful of drag kings in Tasmania's capital.

While Dirty Damo began as a satirical performance of traditional masculinity, Soph said it's unlocked part of them that she's previously suppressed.

"Who I am out of drag has changed since doing drag. I really feel like doing drag has helped me come into who I am," she said.

"I'm definitely a lot more confident because of drag, and finding drag helps me find community."

Drag popularity booms

Hobart's LGBTQIA+ community has been without a dedicated gay bar since 2020 when the COVID pandemic took it out of operation.

Shan Hooper, who performs as drag king Gary Snow, said the shutdown, while sad, actually widened audience for drag kings.

"I don't think there's a week that goes by that there's not something drag now," they said.

Now, shows of drag kings and queens alike have taken over all types of venues for hosting, comedy and performances, which drag kings say is pushing them into traditionally heteronormative venues to huge success.

Shan Hooper is part of a duo act called Backdoor Boys, alongside friend and fellow drag king Barry Bothways.

Shan has a background as a singer/songwriter and said performing used to almost paralyse them.

But when they helped a friend out at a comedy show, dressed as an old lady, they realised how freeing drag performance could be.

Not long after Gary Snow was born.

"We've taken on a whole new world. I don't think either of us are the same people as what we were … when we started this journey," they said.

Gary Snow takes to the stage in a painted beard, flatback cap and often rocks a sleeveless flannel, a style Shan says is heavily inspired by their own experiences.

"I am just finishing up 24 years in the automotive industry," they said.

Dad as drag inspiration

If you were to describe Gary, Barry and Damo's style in drag there's one word that comes to mind: bogan.

The other half of Shan's ensemble, Phoebe Adams, who performs as Barry Bothways, has been performing since 2013.

But 53-year-old Phoebe said Barry's character was never built to be a bogan.

"It's inspired by my dad, my grandfather and the post-war masculinity, [the] trad male masculinity," they said.

"Barry is my dad's middle name and I take a lot of cues from my dad's masculinity.

"Those type of dudes, we hang out with them and they feel seen, they like us and treat us like mates when we're in drag.

"They even use the right pronouns.

Phoebe said performing as Barry Bothways was an opportunity to break down the traditional gender divide.

"I feel confident, I feel at home in my body. I'm non-binary and it helps me express a more masculine identity," they said.

"Once you've done drag, it sort of changes you.

"If you stop putting as much emphasis into gender stuff it breaks down that whole patriarchal playing field."