History

Gage Gatlyn is known worldwide for his impersonation of the incomparable Tim McGraw.

Gage Gatlyn hails from the beautiful city of Jacksonville, FL. But has called Dayton, Ohio home for 15 years.

Known as a Transman Drag King, Gage was assigned female at birth, so the illusion is more intricate and stunning than you might imagine. 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 an 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 and thousands 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. and eventually the group became known as 100° Celsius- The Boiling Point.

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 20 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. 

Gage has more recently dedicated his time to Event and Portrait Photography and has focused on that, while still doing shows here and there. Gage is an advocate and activist for trans rights and co-founded Gatlyn Dame Group, Inc, a support group for trans, nonbinary people and allies in the Greater Miami Valley and beyond.

For booking information please email GageGatlyn@gmail.com or call (937) 234-7241

Gage Gatlyn is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, activist, and advocate.  Gatlyn is known for his impersonations, fundraising, activism, and advocacy within the LGBTQ community.

Gage came out publicly as a transman around 2003, in 2010 became an avid activist/advocate in and for the transgender community. While traveling as an entertainer, Gage raised thousands of dollars for local and national LGBT charities. In 2014, Gage co-foundered The Gatlyn Dame Group, Inc, a non-profit organization that provides awareness, support, education, and outlets for transgender, non-conforming gender persons, and their allies.  As Vice President, Gage facilitates the support group every month. 

With education and awareness at the forefront of Gatlyn’s missions, he offers a comprehensive course called “Trans 101” to businesses, schools, and government agencies.  The course helps raise awareness and provides education to employers, employees, teachers, administration, and/or students about trans specific issues/concerns in the workplace and/or school.  Working closely with organizations, such as, Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and the Montgomery County Juvenile Court System, Gage has educated thousands of individuals on terminology, proper pronouns, and how to treat an individual within the transgender community.  Gage also provides a specific workshop for the media.

Gage volunteers to help transwomen and transmen with their name and gender marker changes.  He provides individuals help in dealing with issues that arise during transition, such as dysphoria. 

Gage advocates for transgender rights on a local, state, and national level.  From rallies to visiting law makers, Gatlyn is committed to making changes throughout for the betterment of all individuals. 

Please visit www.GatlynDameGroup.com for more information.

Titles and Awards:

Lifetime Achievement Award, Jerry Bird, USofA Pageants, LLC, For Dedicated Service and Devotion to the Art of Male Illusion, 2017

Dayton Pride Court King 2018

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 

Mr. Southern Tier, NY 2006 

Mister First Coast Pride, FL, 2005 

Mr. Clarksville Pride, TN 2005 

Mr. American Idol, FL 2005 

Mister MJ's MI, OH 2015

West Virginia Entertainer of The Year, 2013 -Terry Awards

One of the ‘Top 12 Hottest Drag Kings You Should Know of’ "Gay Star News" 2015

One of the ‘28 Drag Kings You Should Know’, "Huffington Post" 2012

One of the ‘Top 11 Kings You Should Definitely Know’ “Gay Star News” 2018

One of the "10 Drag Kings We are dying to see compete on 'Drag Race'" - "Pride.com" 2024

Featured in the 1st Edition of "100 Most Influential Gay Entertainers" Book by Jenettha Baines 

Voted best Drag King of 2005 by Jacksonville, FL.

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.

Nominated 2x for the 'Danee Russo-Out of State' Performer Awards of Detroit. 2006 & 2007

Creator, First Face, and National Promoter for Mister USofA MI in 2007 - 2009, 2014 - 2021

Creator, Founder, First Face, and Head Judge of Master Male Illusionist, 2010 - Present. The Original Master Male Illusionist.

Founder of The J'ville Kings 2003, and later (2005) 100° Celsius- The Boiling Point, the Hottest and Most Traveled Male & Female Illusionist and "Divas" Drag Group, with over 35 Members Nationwide for over 3 years. 

Creator / Moderator of Male Illusionist eXchange, Facebook Drag King / Male Illusionist Group, one of the most informative Male Illusionist forums on Facebook. 

Designer/Creator of the Mister USofA MI Logo.

Original Designer/Co-creator of the Mr. USofA Logo.

Co-Designer of Miss Diva USofA Logo.

Designer/Creator of the Gatlyn Dame Group Logo.

Designer/Creator of the Master Male Illusionist Logo.

Designer/Creator of The Boiling Point Logo.

Designer/Creator of the GAG Entertainment Logo.

A Producer: Making of a Drag King Documentary; Release Date 2016

He has been featured in many publications, 'gay' & 'straight', across the US, as the celebrity of the month in several. He's been on the front page of a Clarksville, Tennessee Newspaper, The Charlotte Observer, Television Shows in several cities; Internet shows; featured as best, or one of the best, videos on internet on several websites; featured as first Drag King on many sites; In a feature film, "Fight My Battle" 2006. 

He captured 8 Titles in one year, and now 13 total, and was the most traveled Drag King in modern history by traveling to over 25 states and performing in hundreds of venues for over a decade. He was responsible for the growth of Drag Kings and Male Illusion by the hundreds, in only the first few years of his career...

Gage is also known in the Male Illusion world for being a trailblazer by:

-"Raising the Bar" by exposing a new kind of 'kinging' and encouraging the more realistic use of facial hair, a new realistic concealment of binding, introduction to the use of make-up to create a male chest, packing, and overall pride in visual performance. 

-Starting and Encouraging the widespread use of the term Male Illusionist.

-Starting and Encouraging the pageant systems to show equality by using 'Mister' and/or MI for Pageant Titles, as opposed to Mr., which has always been used for CisGender Male Pageants'.

-Introducing and encouraging creative, and cost efficient, costuming within the 'Drag King' community.

-Introducing 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. 

-Introducing equality in the drag world by requesting booking fees equal to our counterparts (Queens) and encouraging others to do the same. 

-Raising many thousands of dollars for numerous charities and organizations around the Country