Last year’s winner SapphieQ will be back as a judge for this year’s Wiradjuri Drag Pageant. Photo: Supplied.
The Wiradjuri Drag Pageant will return to Wagga Wagga this Saturday (4 October) for a fabulous night of performances and unapologetic pride.
Rhyley John, who took home the crown last year while performing as SapphieQ, will be back as a judge alongside founder Rose Quartz and former RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under contestant Jojo Zaho.
Growing up in Wagga’s local queer scene, Rhyley didn’t consider himself an outcast but he definitely found more camaraderie within a small community whose members were trying to figure out their identities.
While things have definitely moved forward compared to when the aspiring actor was growing up, there is still a small community that doesn’t think being queer is OK.
“There were definitely comments that came along with growing up queer in a regional town, but since Mardi Gras you’ve got all these groups now which are safe spaces for queer people and trans people,” he said.
“I feel like Wagga has really moved forward.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I just sometimes don’t believe that people’s opinions should always be voiced unless they’ve got something nice to say.”
While the 23-year-old “definitely felt the hit” when he found out that Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras would be shelved following difficulty in securing sponsorship, he said there were plans for other events to celebrate the queer culture and community in Wagga.
Mr John grew up as a dancer and loved being in the limelight. Drag has allowed him the space to express his femininity freely.
“It’s such a great group of queens,” he said.
“They love expressing themselves on stage and having fun and putting on a show for an audience. There are some amazing, talented local queens that definitely need to be seen and recognised.”
This year, four drag queens, two drag kings and a drag thing will be competing.
Mr John said the difference between a drag queen, drag king and a drag thing depended on how someone identified outside the drag scene.
A drag queen will exaggerate the feminine aspects of her body such as wearing wigs and padding for bigger hips or bigger breasts, a drag king will do the same to place emphasis on the masculine aspects of his body, while someone who doesn’t fit either labels will choose to perform as a drag thing.
Drag has allowed Rhyley John the space to express his femininity while presenting more masculine in his day-to-day life. Photo: Supplied.
Typically, queer women will perform as drag kings and vice versa for queer men. Some women still choose to perform as drag queens.
“The different terminology just depends on how you present yourself,” he said.
“It kind of takes back a little bit of those gender norms that it feels like the queer culture has to follow.”
It took him a bit of soul-searching and exploring to figure out who he was, and he wants to encourage other people to be part of this safe and welcoming all-inclusive space.
“It’s never too late or early to kind of figure out who you are,” he said.
“Yes, the journey might be a little bit rocky, but there’s always going to be people who dealt with the same things, whether you’re figuring out your gender and identity later on in your life, or if you are starting that process.”
The fourth Wiradjuri Drag Pageant will take place at Charles Sturt University Riverina Playhouse on Saturday (4 October) from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.
Get your tickets here. More information can be found on the Visit Wagga events page.
