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DIGITAL DRAG Kingdom Came!

by Stacy Bias

Kingdom Magazine is a brand new Drag-Centric publication, and the first International Drag King magazine in the world. At a time when society in general is finally beginning to wake itself to the idea of a more flexible sexuality, publications like Kingdom (and the talented performers celebrated therein) are standing up and pushing the fold just a bit further -- bringing gender into the realm of fluidity in a way that is both political and sexy as hell. I chatted up co-founders Carlos and Ken Las Vegas, about the originations and future of the magazine.

TechnoDyke: So first, tell us a little bit about yourselves

Carlos: As a king I've been performing over the last 7 years, but 5 years consistently. What drag meant to me then is much different than now, which has attributed to my personal and spiritual growth and evolution. Kinging to me is more than just what it seems as it combines a number of paradigms from the pure entertaining aspect, gender fluidity, social awareness, politics, feminism... it's ever evolving for me and will probably mean something different to me in the future. ... Hmmmm, I dunno [shrugs]. I also like sushi and am attracted to blinking lights.

Ken Las Vegas: I have been performing for 6 years first as Drag King Ken (for 5 years), then I was honored to be included into the Dynasty of Las Vegas (headed by Carlos Las Vegas) and have been Ken Las Vegas for about a year now. Drag has offered me a space to explore my masculine side in a safe, fun, and sexy environment.

TechnoDyke: How did the idea for Kingdom Magazine come about?

Carlos: At the International Drag King Conference and Extravaganza II (IDKE), there were discussions on the virtual absence of king voices and culture in society and especially the media. I was aware that Ken and Johnny Kat of Washington DC produced the zine KING, which which covered IDKE II, and thought of an idea to expand that concept to include a more international focus on a plethora of king issues. I then invited Ken to join me, first as the graphics designer, then as a full fledged business partner.

TechnoDyke: How long did it take for Kingdom to move from concept to reality?

Carlos & Ken: We already established a number of contacts from IDKE and it was a matter of emailing them for an interview, artwork, or content contributions. The difficulty was selling "a ghost" to businesses and since we had really nothing to show except our excitement and passions, organizations still took a chance and purchased ads. We decided to print Kingdom here in Canada because it was a lot cheaper and the next thing you know Kingdom International Drag King Magazine was born.

TechnoDyke: It seems lately that drag culture and genderbending are really experiencing an upsurge in popularity and visibility, which is fantastic. Do you have any thoughts on why both alternative and mainstream cultures are so seemingly fascinated with gender and gender expression these days?

Carlos: I don't have a brief and concise answer to this but the subject of gender is fascinating both academically and socially. There is a definite mix of influences that have attributed to where we are now from feminism, race and class issues, pop-culture, the underground culture, media, politics, a whole gamut. Nowadays sex-role stereotypes have been challenged not only in queer circles but by those in main stream culture. We are also in a space where diversity is more celebrated and social differences, in some countries, legally protected. Kinging and gender expression falls within that continuum of celebrating diversity and it's very difficult for me to pinpoint where the roots began. I just acknowledge that many people have paved the way and have even losttheir lives in order for us to do what we do as artists, as drag kings, as individuals. I'm forever in debt to those people.

TechnoDyke: You're just about due for your 2nd issue. How was the first received?

Carlos: Kingdom has gained a lot of notoriety very quickly especially amongst Canadian media circles. We were featured in the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press, the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, Masthead Magazine, Horizons Magazine, Swerve Magazine, as well as other community newspapers. We were also interviewed by CBC national radio and did radio segments with a number of university stations. In the United States, we were also featured in the Washington Post and other publications. The attention was very overwhelming which as created some conflicts between us. Nevertheless, things began to die down and now the media attention is steady.

TechnoDyke: For those of us who haven't had a chance to get their hands on a copy, what kind of content can we expect?

Ken: "Everything King" is the motto of our magazine. You'll find everything from features, interviews, profiles, resources, artwork and anything and everything related to drag king culture. It's very important for us to inclusive and diverse so we make sure that we include works from those outside of North America.

TechnoDyke: How often is Kingdom published, and how can we get our hands on a copy?

Carlos: Kingdom is published bi-annually. You can get a copy by ordering it on line, www.geocities.com/kingdomidkm or by contacting us at kingdomidkm@yahoo.ca.

TechnoDyke: K&C? Aside from the magazine, are you currently involved in any other projects that we should know about?

Carlos: I'm involved in an organization called the The Imperial Sovereign Court of Winnipeg, one of over 70 chapters in North America and Europe. Mainly through drag shows the organization which is dedicated to raising money for local charities. Though this organization, I've created and assist in administering a scholarship for those whose interests revolve around queer issues. I am also involved with Ms. Purdy's Women's Club, the longest continually and consecutively running women's club in North America, as one of their show directors. I proudly carry the title "Father For Life of Ms. Purdy's Women's Club". I also am a costume designer, mainly designing costumes for biokings and drag kings. In my other life, I'm a conference consultant and work for an International Development agency as a Public Engagements Coordinator. Ken Las Vegas: I produce the monthly Drag King Shows in Washington DC at Club Chaos and I am currently putting together The Great Big International Drag King Show 2 which will be the featured entertainment for the GenderPAC (www.gpac.org) conference weekend (May 18th-20th). Also I am the Art Director of Aviance Marketing and I also work as a graphic artist for The City Paper (DC's largest Free paper).