Just an Old Drag Queen

At an age when most youths are celebrating an exciting and unknown future, Tootsie was dealing with a completely different reality. In 1949, at the age of 16, his twin brother died. His mother, unable to deal with the grief, committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid. Tootsie was the one who found her a fortnight before his eighteenth birthday. It wasn't until Tootie was 62 that he was finally able to celebrate who he truly was. He embarked on a grand new adventure and started to dress in drag and perform throughout the pub circuits of Melbourne. He became quite famous in the Australian drag scene and was known as the oldest drag queen in the southern hemisphere. Sadly, two weeks after Tootsie saw this painting, he passed away. He was so thrilled to be painted and along with his performing career, viewed the recognition as a significant symbol - finally he was accepted for being who he was. Tootsie's optimism so inspired me. His story is a testimony that things can change and as a society, we can grow and develop a deeper understanding of others. He always remained himself and wasn't afraid in his later years to start something new…albeit in a frock.