2020 – 2029 San Francisco Drag King Contest (SFDK)

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 2020-2029. 

Please see the bios under 1994-1999, 2000-2009, 2010-2019

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 2020-2029 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

1. The LAB at DNA Lounge
2. The DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
3. The Eagle 398 12th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
4. DragStrip was held in The DNA Lounge 375 11th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
5. 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
6. The Stud 399 Ninth St. San Francisco, CA 94103
7. Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

SFDK 29 – 2025

Save the Date : Sunday, AUGUST 3, 2025

SFDK 28 – 2024

The twenty-eighth official SFDK was held on September 8th, 2024 at the Oasis with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. The theme was Classic Rock and Elastic Cock.

WINNER of SFDK 28: Papi Churro

First Runner Up: Pony Bambino

Second Runner Up: Artorious Cade

People’s Choice Award: Martin Vore

MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma

Special Guest: Mo B. Dick

Judges: Mo B. Dick, Leigh Crow, Helixir Jynder Byntwell, Alotta Boutté, Fontaine Blue, Meatflap

Performances by: King Lotus Boy, Madd Dogg 20/20; Meatflap, Rebel Kings of Oakland

Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)

DJ: Junkyard

Visuals: Vis-a-vis

Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

SFDK 27 – 2023

The twenty-seventh official SFDK was held on August 6th, 2023 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. 2023 winner: King Lotus Boy, First Runner Up Hard Deep Singh, Tie for Second Runner Up: Papi Churro and Will Power. Special Guest Judges were Tenderoni, Trixxie Carr, Vera! and Fontaine Blue. Theme: MANifistation. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and Rocket Dog Rescue.

WINNER of SFDK 27: King Lotus Boy

First Runner Up: Hard Deep Singh

Second Runner Up: Papi Churro, Will Power

MC’s: Fudge Frottage, Sister Roma

Special Guest: Tenderoni

Judges: Trixxie Carr, Vera!, Fontaine Blue

Performances by: Klingon Vanna White, Madd Dogg 20/20, Helixir Jynder Byntwell, Rebel Kings, Meatflap, Harddeep Singh

Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)

DJ: Marilynn Fowler

Visuals: Vis-a-vis

Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

SFDK 26 – 2022

The twenty-sixth official SFDK was held in 2022 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. 2022 winner: Helixir Jynder Byntwell,

First Runner Up: Stinky Pinky and Second Runner Up: Hennessey Williams. Theme: Punk, Pop, Glam. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and Rocket Dog Rescue.

WINNER of SFDK 26: Helixir Jynder Byntwell

First Runner Up: Stinky Pinky

Second Runner Up: Hennessey Williams

MC’s: Fudgie Frottage, Sister Roma

Special Guests: Klingon Vanna White, Kit Tapata

Judges:  Joan Jett Blakk, Jota Mercury, Arty Fishal, Fontaine Blue

Performances by: King Lotus Boy, Madd Dogg 20/20, Rebel Kings of Oakland, Meatflap, Mason Dixon Jars, Papi Churro, Cosimo, Tater Tot, Glitter Done

Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)

DJ: Marilynn Fowler

Visuals: Vis-a-vis

Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

SFDK 25 – 2021

The twenty-fifth official SFDK was held on Sunday, August 22, 2021 with multiple celebrity hosts, judges and performers. Meatflap wins the title with a prolific rendition of Bowie’s “Rock and Roll Suicide”. First Runner Up was King Lotus Boy who killed it with a virtual video of “Racist Sexist Boy” by the Linda Lindas. All judges except for Fontaine Blue appeared remotely, via zoom due to pandemic safety choices. Benefit for P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and Rocket Dog Rescue.

WINNER of SFDK 25: Meatflap

First Runner Up: King Lotus Boy

MC’s: Fudgie Frottage , Joan Jett Blakk

Special Guest: Mo B. Dick

Judges: Fontaine Blue, Leigh Crow, Jota Mercury, Fontaine Blue,  Sister Roma

Performances by: Holden Wood, DeeDee Luxe, Dicky Love, Will X. Uly, Mason Dixon Jars, Madd Dogg 20/20, Rebel Kings, Klingon Vanna White

Producer: Lu Read (Fudgie Frottage)

DJ: Junkyard

Visuals: Vis-a-vis

Location: Oasis 298 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(skipped 2020 due to COVID-19)

(Submitted by: Sister Stella Believin’ Magick and Fudgie Frottage, San Francisco, CA)