The Trans Narrative Podcast · Trans Narrative Pod

Ryan Klinghammer : Mr Trans Midwest | Drag, Pride, & Queer Masculinity Unbound

·1 hr 13 min·1 clip

I beat him with a stapler in self-defense, and the teachers suspended me from theater.

Ryan Klinghammer, current Mr. Trans Midwest and director of events for Metro Trans Umbrella Group, shares comprehensive identity narrative on Trans Narrative Podcast. Born December 1998 in St. Louis (family origin), experienced childhood geographic mobility (Buffalo, Illinois, St. Louis) and religious hypocrisy across Lutheran/non-denominational/Catholic denominations. Theater kid in high school; came out as trans sophomore year, initially as masc lesbian (coping mechanism for AFAB masculine presentation). Arrested development in gender identity until meeting other trans people. Physical altercation with peer (self-defense with stapler) prompted theater teacher suspension, leading to slam poetry involvement. Discovered drag at college; performed first open stage one year later (Panic! at the Disco, Rick Springfield). Seven-year drag king career (stage name Mars) reinforced trans masculine identity. Eight years ago, attended Locker Room support group (trans masculine peer support); first time seeing plus-size trans men who matched his presentation. Support group attendance catalyzed nonprofit pathway: volunteer→assistant director→current director of events. Now mentors new performers via King Awakening monthly show. Plus-size representation and drag king expression enable integrated gender presentation (effeminately masculine, makeup-wearing, predominantly gay, vaguely bisexual).

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Trans Narrative Podcast