Photo by Charlee Howell

Years active
2003 – Present

Stage Name(s)
Gage Gatlyn

Category
 Drag King, Male Illusionist

Country of Origin
United States

Birth – Death
1977 –

Bio

Gage Gatlyn is an award-winning entertainer, activist, educator, and entrepreneur best known for his uncanny impersonations of country music icons Tim McGraw, Eric Church, and since 2025, powerhouse vocalist Teddy Swims. Known internationally as one of the most iconic Drag Kings of the modern era, Gage has built a reputation on talent, tenacity, and transformative leadership in the world of Drag Kings and Male Illusion.

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, born on August 3, 1977, Gatlyn began his performance journey in 2003 at Metro, a popular nightclub in the city. After sweeping the weekly talent shows and ultimately winning the Finals, Gage found himself eager for the next challenge. He partnered with Cynthia Norman, owner of The Norm nightclub, to launch what became Jacksonville’s first dedicated Drag King show. The J’ville Kings were born, beginning with just three members and quickly expanding into a powerhouse troupe known as 100° Celsius – The Boiling Point, boasting over 35 members and traveling extensively across the United States from 2005 to 2010.

Since his debut, Gage has performed in over 250 venues across more than 25 states, earning dozens of prestigious titles and awards. These include: ‘Viewer’s Choice’ National Entertainer of the Year, FMI (For Male Impersonators) (2005), Dragtastic.com; Mister Gay United States, MI (Male Illusionist) (2012), Held in Washington DC; Mr. USA, FMI (For Male Impersonators) (2005), Hickory, N.C. and the USofA Pageants Lifetime Achievement Award (2017) presented by Jerry Bird, for his contributions to the art of Male Illusion. His signature performance of “Live Like You Were Dying” as Tim McGraw earned him the 2005 Angles Award for Best Performance by a Drag King—a rare honor bestowed only every two years.

Gatlyn is not just a performer—he was a movement. He helped pioneer the modern Drag King aesthetic, normalizing the use of realistic facial hair, advanced makeup techniques to simulate male anatomy, and higher production value in King costuming. He was instrumental in popularizing the term “Male Illusionist”, advocating for gender-affirming language and equal representation and pay in pageantry and bookings. Through sheer presence and perseverance, Gage became the first Drag King—or the first in decades—to be featured on main stages across more than 100 venues nationwide. Gage shared his knowledge with other Kings, not only while on the road, but also held extensive seminars on Male Illusion that taught people how to be a Drag King, from the ground up. 

Accolades and National Recognition

Gage’s contributions have been widely recognized in both LGBTQ and mainstream media. He has been featured in:

  • Huffington Post’s 28 Drag Kings You Should Know (2012)
  • Gay Star News Top 12 Hottest Drag Kings You Should Know (2015)
  • Gay Star News Top 11 Kings You Should Definitely Know (2018)
  • Pride.com 10 Drag Kings We Are Dying to See Compete on Drag Race (2024)
  • The 1st Edition of “100 Most Influential Gay Entertainers” by Jenettha Baines

He has also been featured on several local and national TV shows, newspaper covers such as The Charlotte Observer, and appeared in the 2006 feature film Fight My Battle.

Titles and Pageant Legacy

Over his career, Gage has captured at least 12 titles, including:

  • Mr. Metro American Idol (FL, 2004)
  • Mister First Coast Pride (FL, 2005)
  • Mr. Clarksville Pride (TN, 2005)
  • Mister Sunshine State (FL, 2006)
  • Mr. Southern Tier (NY, 2006)
  • Mr. North Carolina USA FMI (2006)
  • Mister Gay USA FMI (2006)
  • Viewer’s Choice, National EOY MI (2006)
  • Mister Gay United States, MI (2012)
  • Mister VA Commonwealth US MI (2012)
  • Mister MJ’s MI (OH, 2015)
  • Dayton Pride Court King (2018)
  • West Virginia Entertainer of The Year, Terry Awards (2013) 

Gage also created and served as the first face and national promoter of Mister USofA MI from 2007–2009 and again from 2014–2021. In 2010, he founded Master Male Illusionist (Master MI)—a groundbreaking national platform that celebrates experience, excellence, and authenticity in Male Illusion. It is within his work in pageantry that Gatlyn coined the term Brotherhood in 2005. He led by example and taught other Kings to compete “with” other Kings, not “against” other Kings. Inside Kings dressing rooms are the Kindest people competing with each other. They help each other, their dressers help other contestants, even though it might hurt themselves in the competition. The Brotherhood that he taught for 2 decades, and that has been passed down through the generations, will long be one of Gage Gatlyn’s most beloved legacy. 

Educator, Advocate, and Activist

Gage publicly came out as a transgender man in 2003. Since 2005, he has dedicated himself to trans rights advocacy, combining lived experience with tireless outreach. In 2014, Gage co-founded The Gatlyn Dame Group, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming individuals and their allies. As Vice President, he facilitates monthly support groups and leads initiatives for awareness, empowerment, and education in the Greater Miami Valley, Ohio and beyond. Gatlyn Dame Group meets once or twice a month for support and community. The regular group can bring up to 40 trans/nb individuals each month. 

Through his acclaimed Trans 101 workshops, Gage has educated thousands of people—students, teachers, and medical professionals—on respectful language, inclusion, and trans-specific concerns. He’s worked with institutions like Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine, Montgomery County Juvenile Court, CareSource, and local and regional schools, creating safer environments through education.

He also assists individuals with navigating name and gender marker changes and offers resources for dealing with transition-related issues, including dysphoria.

Creative Entrepreneur

As a self-taught artist, Gage Gatlyn has left a lasting mark through his design work. He created the logos for:

  • Mister USofA MI
  • Master Male Illusionist
  • 100° Celsius – The Boiling Point 
  • The Gatlyn Dame Group

He is also the moderator for Male Illusionist eXchange, or The MIX, what used to be one of the largest and most respected Facebook groups for Male Illusionists. 

In 2016,  Gage was a Producer Level Sponsor for the documentary The Making of a Drag King, by director Nicole Miyahara, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the dedication and artistry of kings across the country. Starring Landon Cider, Cameron Varney, and King Phantom.

Legacy

Gage Gatlyn is not only a trailblazer but a torchbearer for future generations of Drag Kings and trans performers. He has raised tens of thousands of dollars for LGBTQ causes through benefit shows and national tours, setting a gold standard for performance with purpose. His fierce commitment to authenticity, advocacy, and artistry has earned him the title of “Yoda” or “Godfather of Modern Drag” within the Male Illusionist community.

As of 2025, Gage continues to perform selectively, focusing his energy on his Q+ portrait and event photography, organizing, community building, and educating the public about the trans experience. His life’s work stands as a testament to transformation—not just of the body, but of culture, perception, and possibility.

Reference

For more information or to book Gage Gatlyn for performances or educational events, visit GageGatlyn.com

(Submitted by: Gage Gatlyn of Dayton, Ohio)