Gage Gatlyn is known worldwide for his impersonation of the incomparable Tim McGraw. Gage Gatlyn hails from the beautiful city of Jacksonville, FL. Known as a Transman Drag King, Gage was born a genetic female, so the illusion is more intricate and stunning than you might imgine. In person, the resemblance is astounding. The Award -Winning Male Illusionist will be sure to entertain you and make any experience that you have with him unforgettable.
The living legend Gage Gatlyn uses the art of theatrical make-up, packing, and costuming to create optical illusion that will have you questioning the accuracy and quality of your vision. Because of his travels and workshops/seminars, he was credited with the growth of Drag Kings and Male Illusion by hundreds of fans and onlookers in only the first few years of his career, and is now lovingly referred to as "Yoda" or the Godfather of Modern Drag. You just can't deny his extensive experience and knowledge of Male Illusion.
Gage has been thrilling audiences since he got his start at the 2003 Metro, competing in their weekly talent shows. Once he conquered the Finals, he couldn't continue in the same circuit. He yearned for bigger and better oppotunities. He made up his mind, tracked down Cynthia Norman, owner of the Norm, about putting together a King show once a month. She said, "Yes", and The J'ville Kings were born. With 3 original members, it wasn't long before they made a home at The Norm, gaining 20+ members and traveling all over Florida and the U.S. Gage went on to win the Finals at Metro and has since toured the Country from Coast to Coast, performing in about 250 venues and winning multiple Local, State and National Pageant Titles and Awards spanning over the past 14 years.
Gage Gatlyn opened doors for Male Illusionists/Drag Kings across the country by giving his all, looking his best, and by pushing himself to always take it to the next level, making sure to inspire other Kings to do the same.
What is a Male Illusionist? An MI is a Drag King that takes the Art one step further. A Male Illusionist typically works to create an entire illusion for their audience members. They wear make up, contour, use realistic concealment binding, pack realistically, change their facial hair, wear costuming, and are at times painfully impassioned in the art of 'Kinging'. They LOOK like men on the stage and sometimes have to convince people that they were not born male.
Some of Gage’s titles and awards are: Mister Gay United States MI 2012, Viewer's Choice National EOY MI 2006, Mr. Gay USA FMI 2006, Mister VA Commonwealth US MI 2012, Mr. North Carolina USA FMI 2006, Mister Sunshine State 2006, Mister First, Coast Pride 2005, Mr. Clarksville Pride 2005, WV Entertainer of The Year 2013 -Terry Awards and Mister MJ's MI 2015.
He was featured in the "Top 12 Hottest Drag Kings You Should Know" featured in Gay Star News in 2015 and was featured in the 1st Edition of "100 Most Influential Gay Entertainers" book by Jenettha Baines. He was voted best Drag King of 2005 by Jacksonville, FL in Out Magazine and received the 2005 "Angles Award" (given only every 2 years) for "Best Performance by a Drag King - Live Like You Were Dying", illusion of Tim McGraw.
Gage Gatlyn, under the authority of the owner of U.S. of A. Pageants LLC, is the creator, First Face, and National Promoter for Mister U.S. of A., MI. He also created, Founded, and was the First Face as The Original Master Male Illusionist. He was rightfully elected Head Judge of Master Male Illusionist, which is a lifetime title for Male Illusionists. He was the founder of The J'ville Kings (2003), and later 100° Celsius- The Boiling Point (2005). He created and currently moderates Male Illusionist eXchange (The MIX), a Facebook Group for Drag Kings / Male Illusionists- is one of the most informative Male Illusionist forums on the web. Gage is a producer for “The Making of a Drag King, a feature film Documentary. He has been featured in many publications across the US, with features in the Clarksville Newspaper, TN, the Charlotte Observer, NC; Buzz Magazine, NY; and on cable, internet, and radio shows in many cities. He was also an actor in a feature film, "Fight My Battle" in 2006.
Gage is also an accomplished graphic designer. He has designed and created the Mister U. S. of A. MI Logo, the Mr. U. S. of A. logo, the Gatlyn Dame Group, Inc. logo, the Master Male Illusionist logo, the Boiling Point logo, and the GAG Entertainment logo. He was also a Co-Designer of the Miss U. S. of A.'s "Diva Logo".
Gage is a maverick in the world of Male Illusion for exposing a new kind of 'kinging'. This involves encouraging more realistic use of facial hair, realistic concealment of binding, packing, costuming, and use of make-up to create a male chest and stomach, taking overall pride in visual performance. He came up with, defined, and encouraged the widespread use of the term “Male Illusionist” in the Drag King community and pageant systems. He consistantly encouraged the pageant systems to show equality by using 'Mister' and/or MI for Pageant and Contest Titles, as opposed to "Mr.", which has almost always been used in pageants created for 'biological men'. Mister First Coast Pride in Jacksonville, FL was the first pageant to use "Mister" as a prefix to their King Pageant.
He introduced equality on the main stages of venues across the country by being the first 'drag king' booked, or the first in a decade or more, in over 100 venues across the country. He requests booking fees equal to his counterparts (Drag Queens) and encourages other Kings/MIs to do the same. He has raised and helped raise thousands of dollars for numerous charitable organizations around the Country.
Gage came out publicly as a Transman around 2003 but started HRT in 2005, after an Honorable End Term of Service in the Military. Since, he has become an Activist/Advocate in the Transgender Community. He Co-Founded The Gatlyn Dame Group, Inc., which provides support, awareness, outlets, and education for transgender, non-conforming gender persons, and their allies throughout the USA. Gage is a facilitator for Support Group meetings every 3rd Tuesday of the month, and a Social Event every month, in Dayton, OH.
As a public speaker, Gage has spoken at several events from Coming Out Days, Transgender Day of Remembrance events, Dayton's - Orlando 49 Vigil, and more. He continues to sit on Medical Question and Answer panels for transgender education of Medical Students, general public education Q&A Panels, and at one on one sessions with Physicians and Surgeons in the US Air Force and Veterans Affairs Administration. He also uses his spare time to volunteer and educate transmen, women and children, on how to move forward with transitioning. He takes pride in educating anyone on name and gender marker changes, "passing", dealing with gender dysphoria, or is just there to lend an ear when needed. Gage has been a guest on many Television news segments, cable shows, Internet channels, specials, and appeared in newspapers throughout the country. He loves to be involved and is proud to be one of the voices for the Transgender community.
****The Gatlyn Dynasty****
Gage A. Gatlyn Devin G. Dame Gunner D. Gatlyn Faith G. Taylor