Years active
1994 – Present
1994 – 1999, 2000 – 2009, 2010 – 2019, 2020 – 2029
Stage Name(s)
San Francisco Drag King contest
Category
Drag Kings
Country of Origin
USA
Birth – Death
1994 –
Bio
The San Francisco Drag King Contest began in 1994, and has remained a popular annual drag king event. In 2025, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded the SFDK Contest the longest-running drag king competition in the world. This bio focuses on the years 2010-2019.
Please see the bios under 1994-1999, 2000-2009, 2020-2029
The San Francisco Drag King Contest is the longest running annual drag king contest in the world. The start of the contest in the early 1990s marked a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, showcasing the talents and creativity of up and coming drag kings. The contest, held in the heart of a city known for its progressive values, not only challenged the traditional gender norms of drag performance but also gave visibility to a previously underrepresented art form. Featuring the eminent performer and producer, Drag King Legend Fudgie Frottage with other celebrity MC’s and guest judges, this annual contest has grown in popularity and structure, solidifying its place in the local LGBTQ+ cultural landscape. The contest’s legacy endures, serving as an inspiration for drag king scenes across the world and contributing to the broader LGBTQ+ movement’s push for inclusivity, diversity, and the celebration of all forms of self-expression.
In 1993, the first iteration of what would become the San Francisco Drag King Contest occurred. The show was produced by The LAB as a drag king contest at the DNA Lounge (1). The event was conceived as a way to provide a platform for drag kings who had often been overlooked in the drag community which was predominantly centered around drag queens. It was hosted by Elvis Herselvis and Justin Vivian Bond. Stafford was declared the winner.
In 1994, the First Annual Drag King Competition took place at the SF Eagle (2) with Elvis Herselvis as MC, judges Stafford, Joan Jett Blakk, Valerie Chabaux, DJ Stefanie Phillips. BJ was declared the winner.
At the same time drag kings were appearing at DragStrip (3), a monthly drag and burlesque show produced by Fudgie Frottage (Lu Read); Klubstitute, a weekly queer punk event that took place in various locations produced by Diet Popstitute (Michael Collins) and DJ Alvin a Go-Go (Alvin Orloff); and Club Confidential (4), a monthly 1930’s speakeasy soirée produced by Stafford and Jordy Jones at Paula’s Clubhouse and at The Embassy Lounge.
The contest was on hiatus during 1995-1996, but drag king momentum was gaining visibility and prestige with a cover story in The SF Weekly, Hillbillies On The Moon, the first drag king musical at Theatre Rhinoceros, and drag king contests such as The Mr. Trannyshack competition produced by Heklina at The Stud (5), and Mr. Klubstitute produced by Diet Popsititute at various locations.
In 1997, Fudgie Frottage (Lu Read) became the producer and developed the San Francisco Drag King Contest into the format which continues to this day. This contest is one of the longest-running drag king contests, reflecting its enduring legacy in promoting gender fluidity and performance artistry within the queer community. The event in 1997 featured a ‘More for Les’ fundraiser for Leslie Feinberg.
This annual event has featured Fudgie Frottage and Sister Roma as MC’s, a host of guest star judges and performances by former title holders. Known for its diverse, inclusive, and creative performances, the contest has consistently showcased the talents of drag kings from all over the world, cementing its reputation as one of the most important events of its kind.
Contestants are judged on talent, creativity, studliness, sex appeal, originality, humor, make-up/facial hair, and fashion by celebrity judges. The main requirement is that the drag kings come from the San Francisco Bay Area. Contestants vie for the title SF Drag King of the Year, a crown and in-kind gift packages from various sponsors. The SF Drag King Contest has been held at Oasis (6) since 2015.
Here is the list of all the contests by year from 2010-2019 which include the winners, MC’s, guest judges, producer, location, performances, and contestants.
References
“About us”, San Francisco Drag King Contest, Fudgie Frottage, accessed March 20, 2025, http://sfdragkingcontest.com/aboutus.php
Notes
- The LAB at DNA Lounge
- The DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
- The Eagle 398 12th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
- DragStrip was held in The DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
- Club Confidential started at Paula’s Clubhouse 3160 16th St. San Francisco, CA 94103 then moved to The Embassy Lounge 610 Polk St. San Francisco, CA 94102. It lasted from 1995 to 2000
- The Stud 399 Ninth St. San Francisco, CA 94103
- Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 24 – 2019
The twenty-fourth official SFDK was held in 2019 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Holden Wood wins with a terrific Steve Irwin number, First Runner Up: DeeJay Galaxy and Second Runner Up: Ryder Moore. Judges: Wang Newton; Arty Fishal; El Sevan and Madd Dogg 20/20. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and Rocket Dog Rescue. Theme: Game of Bones.
WINNER of SFDK 24: Holden Wood
First Runner Up: DeeJay Galaxy
Second Runner Up: Ryder Moore
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Special Guest: Wang Newton
Judges: Leigh Crow, Wang Newton, Arty Fishal, El Sevan, Madd Dogg 20/20
Performances by: Madd Dogg 20/20, Rebel Kings, Will X. Uly, Mason Dixon Jars, Chico Suave, Klingon Vanna White/Dueling Draculas, Nine Inch Males
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: Junkyard
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 23 – 2018
The twenty-third official SFDK was held in 2018 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. 2018 SFDK23 celebrates salty, swaggering seamen. The winner is: Will X. Ully, in an amazing William Shakespeare number, First Runner Up is: Chico Suave, Second Runner Up is: Buster Riteopen. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and Rocket Dog Rescue. Theme: Swaggering Seamen.
WINNER of SFDK 23: Will X. Ully
First Runner Up: Chico Suave
Second Runner Up: Buster Riteopen
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Special Guest: Landon Cider, Flare, Wang Newton
Judges: Leigh Crow, Arty Fishal, Nancy French, April Kidwell, Max Manchester
Performances by: Jay Mercury (Jota Mercury), El Sevan, Madd Dogg 20/20, Mason Dixon Jars, Dickie Luv, Klingon Vanna White, Rebel Kings, Ophelia Couer de Noir, Max Manchester
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
SFDK 22 – 2017
The twenty-second official SFDK was held in 2017 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SFDK HISTORY THE COMPETITION WAS SO FIERCE THAT 2 WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED: EL SeVAN AND EmJAY MERCURY. Lord Satan was First Runner Up. El SeVan performed a moving piece to a Marvin Gaye medley with his trusty service dog, Olive, a Formosan Mountain Dog mix. To accommodate more contestants a Lip-sync for Your Life segment was added to the show and EmJay Mercury won that segment to move on to winning the crown with his own special head gear to the Mexican folk song “El Rey”. Lord Satan performed an epic Evel Knievel routine. Gene Jeanie wins best costume for his Bowie impersonation and is later featured in Vogue magazine. Judges: Special Guest: Landon Cider, Leigh Crow, Arty Fishal, and Nancy French.
GENE JEANIE
BEST COSTUME SFDK22/2017
Gene Jeanie did his first drag performance in January 2016 in response to the death of David Bowie and he has continued to do Bowie-inspired acts ever since. He is based in Central California and has performed in San Francisco, Sacramento, and LA. He has been featured by Buzzfeed; OUT Magazine; and Vogue. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support). Theme: Summer of Glove.
WINNER of SFDK 22: El Sevan
First Runner Up: Lord Satan
Second Runner Up:
Lip-sync for Your Life: EmJay Mercury
Best Costume: Gene Jeanie
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Judges: Landon Cider, Leigh Crow, Arty Fishal, Nancy French
Performances by: Max Manchester, Madd Dogg 20/20, Rebel Kings of Oakland, Mason Dixon Jars, Momma’s Boyz, Gender Queer Society, Simone 3rd Arm
Contestants: Donny Mirassou, Ryder Moore, Pussy Diet, Meatflap, Lord Satan
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
Visuals: Vis-a-Vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
DJ: Marilynn Fowler
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 21 – 2016
The twenty-first official SFDK was held in 2016 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. MAX MANCHESTER WINS WITH A “BANG BANG” PERFORMANCE. First Runner Up is Donny Mirassou, Second Runner Up is Ryder Moore. Judges: Leigh Crow; Super Fishal (Arty); Nancy French; and Mutha Chucka. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support).
WINNER of SFDK 21: Max Manchester
First Runner Up: Donny Mirassou
Second Runner Up: Ryder Moore
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Judges: Leigh Crow, Arty Fishal, Nancy French, Mutha Chucka
Performances by: Pussy Diet, Mason Dixon Jars, Madd Dogg 20/20, Momma’s Boyz, Klingon Vanna White, Kit Tapata, Rebel Kings, Fella Fem, Genderqueer Society, Hanna Graham, Art Kahn
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: Junkyard
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 20 – 2015
The twentieth official SFDK was held in 2015 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Mason Dixon Jars Wins with his Interpretive Garden of Eden Insanity. Lord Satan is First Runner Up with “Hot, Hot, Hot” Judges: Leigh Crow, Mo B. Dick, Arty Fishal, Steven LeMay & Clammy Faye. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support).
WINNER of SFDK 20: Mason Dixon Jars
First Runner Up: Lord Satan
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Judges: Leigh Crow, Mo B. Dick, Arty Fishal, Steven LeMay, Clammy Faye
Performances by: Momma’s Boyz, Madd Dogg 20/20, Fella Fem, Deedee Luxe, GQ Society, Rebel Kings, Kit Tapata, Klingon Vanna White, Ophelia Coeur de Noir
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 19 – 2014
The nineteenth official SFDK was held in 2014 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Madd Dogg 20/20 wins with the medley: “Mercy” by Tunechi, “Bang Bang” Will. I. Am and “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” by Fergie featuring Qtip and Goonrock. Backups: Dina Isis, James Arthur & Danny Lum. Judges: Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Mo B. Dick, Arty Fishal & Princess Pandora.
WINNER of SFDK 19: Madd Dogg 20/20
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Special Guest: Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s
Judges: Mo B. Dick, Arty Fishal, Princess Pandora
Performances by: Klingon Vanna White, Momma’s Boyz, Leigh Crow, Deedee Luxe, Arty Fishal, Kit Tapata, Art Kahn, Fella Fem, Hamm Graham, Ophelia Coeur de Noir, Tommy Salami, GQ Society
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: D.I.E.
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SFDK 18 – 2013
The eighteenth official SFDK was held on Saturday, August 17th, 2013 at Space 550 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Art Kahn wins with the Kings of Queen! Judges: Rusty Hips, Anna Conda, Bea Dazzler and Mutha Chucka. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support).
WINNER of SFDK 18: Art Kahn
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Judges: Rusty Hips, Anna Conda, Bea Dazzler, Mutha Chucka
Performances by: DeeDee Luxe, Leigh Crow, Momma’s Boyz, Jay Walker, Piston Chambers, The Indra, Fontaine Bleu (Blue), Amanda Whip
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: D.I.E.
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: Space 550, 550 Barneveld Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
SFDK 17 – 2012
The seventeenth official SFDK was held on August 23rd, 2012 at the DNA Lounge with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Cohen Brothers win! Lady Satan is First Runner Up & Art Kahn takes Second Runner Up. Judges are Mo B. Dick, Leigh Crow, Super Fishal & LeMay.
WINNER of SFDK 17: Cohen Brothers
First Runner Up: Lady Satan
Second Runner Up: Art Kahn
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Judges: Mo B. Dick, Leigh Crow, Arty Fishal, LeMay
Performances by: Momma’s Boyz, Anna Conda, Jay Walker, Delicio Del Toro, Gender Queer Society, Whoa Nellies
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: D.I.E.
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA
SFDK 16 – 2011
The sixteenth official SFDK was held on August 5th, 2011 at the DNA Lounge with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Gender Queer Society from San Jose wins! Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support).
WINNER of SFDK 16: Gender Queer Society
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Special Guest: DRED
Judges: Leigh Crow
Performances by: Hamm Graham and the Wham Bam Thank You Ma’ams, Momma’s Boyz, JenRo, DeeDee Luxe
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: D.I.E.
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA
SFDK 15 – 2010
The fifteenth official SFDK was held on August 20th, 2010 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Hamm Graham and The Wham Bam Thank You Ma’ams wins with a wild west version of Styx “Renegade”
and Dillon St. Dong takes First Runner Up with his Clown King Balloon Antics. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support).
WINNER of SFDK 15: Hamm Graham and The Wham Bam Thank You Ma’ams
First Runner Up: Dillon St. Dong
MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma
Special Guest: Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s
Judges: Simone de la Getto, Rusty Hips, Anna Conda, Jay Walker, Arty Fishal,
Performances by: Delicio Del Toro, Pepperspray!, The Indra, Momma’s Boyz, Diamond Daggers, The Cricket Bardot Dancers
Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)
DJ: D.I.E.
Visuals: Vis-a-vis
Location: DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA
(Submitted by: Sister Stella Believin’ Magick and Fudgie Frottage, San Francisco, CA)