Drag Kings in Hobart

LGBTQIA+

Sat 13 Jun 2026 at 8:15am

Soph Keegan performs as Dirty Damo.

In short:

Hobart's LGBTQIA+ community has no dedicated gay bar.

Performers say an audience for Drag Kings has grown.

It helps performers grow their confidence.

Dirty Damo is on stage, rolling a cigarette.

Out of drag, Damo is Soph Keegan, a mum.

Dirty Damo is a bogan, hip-thrusting performer.

Soph said being a woman means being told to be quiet.

Soph likes being a larrikin and showing masculinity.

Dirty Damo is one of few drag kings in Tasmania.

Dirty Damo's song about Centrelink is a crowd favourite.

Dirty Damo started as a satirical performance.

Doing drag has helped Soph come into who she is.

I am more confident because of drag.

Drag popularity is growing

Hobart's LGBTQIA+ community has no dedicated gay bar.

Shan Hooper performs as drag king Gary Snow.

The shutdown of the gay bar widened the audience for drag kings.

There's a drag event almost every week.

Shan Hooper says Gary has made them more confident.

Drag kings and queens perform in many venues.

Shan Hooper is part of a duo act called Backdoor Boys.

Shan has a background as a singer/songwriter.

Performing used to make Shan nervous.

But drag performance is freeing for Shan.

Barry Bothways and Gary Snow are a duo.

Gary Snow was born after Shan helped a friend.

Shan and their friend have taken on a new world.

Gary Snow takes to the stage in a beard and cap.

Shan's style is inspired by their own experiences.

Shan is finishing up 24 years in the automotive industry.

Dad as drag inspiration

Gary, Barry, and Damo's style is bogan.

The other half of Shan's ensemble is Phoebe Adams.

Phoebe Adams performs as Barry Bothways.

Barry's character was inspired by family members.

Barry is not a bogan, but inspired by Phoebe's dad.

Barry is Phoebe's dad's middle name.

Those type of dudes like us when we're in drag.

Barry has helped many upcoming drag kings.

They even use the right pronouns.

Phoebe said performing as Barry breaks down gender divide.

I feel confident and at home in my body.

Once you've done drag, it changes you.

If you stop putting emphasis on gender, it breaks down patriarchy.

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