Advertisement

Calgary drag kings vying for place in spotlight: ‘It’s a man’s world’

Click to play video: '‘It’s a man’s world’: Drag kings vying for their place in the spotlight'
‘It’s a man’s world’: Drag kings vying for their place in the spotlight
WATCH: Drag queens are a part of popular culture, leading drag kings to take up the fight for the same recognition. Beyond the theatrical part of their transformation, these women are making a statement off stage. Jill Croteau reports – Aug 27, 2019

They are a group of women intending to blur the gender lines.

Performers in the Fake Mustache Drag King Troupe are on stage, showcasing the expression of the male gender.

Jordan May, 24, transforms into the Duke Carson.

Jordan May. Jill Croteau/Global News

“Duke took a while to get where he’s at, and is inspired by the 80s rock and roll and heavy metal,” May said.

Story continues below advertisement

Morgan Beckel, 31, created her male alter-ego as Noble Jawbs.

Morgan Beckel. Jill Croteau/Global News

“Noble is super rude and upfront and aggressive and he has a lot of energy and that’s totally not me,” Beckel said.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Michaela Staples, 19, is Ace Dynasty Symmetrical on stage.

Michaela Staples. Jill Croteau/Global News

“Ace is a small town boy. He loves to read and you will find him in a dark room with a great book, blasting David Bowie,” Staples said.

Story continues below advertisement

Becoming drag kings gives them the space to bravely expose different layers of their identity they may be too intimidated to reveal in everyday life.

“It’s a euphoric feeling and freeing and liberating,” May said. “It feels great and it’s drastic.”

“A lot of drag is cathartic.”

‘Duke Carson’
‘Duke Carson’. Courtesy: Jordan May

“I am very quiet and keep to myself but Ace will be the centre of attention and the star of every party,” Staples said.

“You kind of get to pick and choose the parts of the gender you don’t normally associate with,” Beckel said.

‘Noble Jawbs’
‘Noble Jawbs’. Courtesy: Morgan Beckel

Beyond the theatrics of it, the women say it’s more like a statement to society.

Story continues below advertisement

“The people getting the most views and attention on social media and airtime is drag queens, which is predominantly performed by men,” May said. “There’s incredible performers here fighting for the same recognition.”

“Women have been oppressed and people like to root for the underdog,” Beckel said.

“Women standing their ground and taking up space might be something a lot of people could get on board with.”

WATCH: Global Calgary’s award-winning series Pride Without Prejudice

Sponsored content

AdChoices