Kween Kee Kee

Keegan bounces on the trampoline outside his families home. Identifying as 'gender creative,' Keegan’s parents have chosen to raise their children to self-identify, while consciously not imposing gender norms on their day-to-day activities.

“There’s no reason or justification that I can think of that people have to fit within some sort of narrow guideline. If you’re just going to define gender aside from biological sense, every other thing we use to define gender that I can think of is, is purely just a societal, cultural thing. I would like people to just feel, to express themselves for who they are.” ”

— Keegan's mother

“I just feel more like myself when I am wearing a dress,” said Keegan, now 9, whom identifies as gender creative. Keegan’s parents have chosen to raise their children to self-identify, while consciously not imposing gender norms on their day-to-day activities.

Keegan’s family said they first noticed his propensity towards female gender-typical clothing at the age of 4, regularly asking to wear dresses to pre-school. Over the years, this fascination grew from a hobby behind closed doors to regularly posting photos of himself dressed in drag (with the help of his mother) on his Instagram page. The families journey has not been easy. Over the years, Keegan has been bullied in the classroom by friends for his closet full of makeup, wigs and costumes. Feeling Keegan in need of aid, that his mother Megan felt she couldn’t provide, she sought the help of the drag community. She contacted a married couple named Emma and Alex who perform drag professionally. Together the whole family participated in a monthly “drag class” led by the couple deemed his “fairy drag mothers.” The unofficial drag course was aimed at teaching Keegan the in’s and out’s of professional makeup, costumes and choreography. Under the queens tutelage, Keegan’s drag life has blossomed.

As Keegan navigates the world of gender, home-life and school his relationship with Emma and Alex has progressed beyond traditional teachers to acting as mentors. Fueled by their support and that of his family, Keegan has moved past his fears of exposing his gender-non conforming lifestyle to his peers, to wearing his sparkly shoes to school. From the periphery a small triumph but to his teachers, family and friends a huge leap into acceptance and a way forward. Last year, he performed for the first time in drag during the International Drag Festival and has now been booked for a paid performance.

Keegan is comforted by his father, Chris, while attending a drag lessons at the home of drag queens, Robby and Alex.Chris said he was ambivalent to Keegan’s non-gender normative behavior in the beginning not thinking too much about it. However, in t… — Keegan is comforted by his father, Chris, while attending a drag lessons at the home of drag queens, Robby and Alex.
Chris said he was ambivalent to Keegan’s non-gender normative behavior in the beginning not thinking too much about it. However, in the years following the family made a collective decision to remove prescribed gender typical roles from their home. Both suicide survivors, Megyn and Chris felt it was important to just “Let Keegan be himself.” Both say they are very proud of Keegan's progress and courage to be himself.

Keegan relaxes with his family at the home of his 'Fairy Drag Mothers,' - Robby and Alex, after having 'Drag Class' with the couple. Keegan's parents sought the help of the drag community to help mentor their son, who identifies as "gender creative," to help him with his drag skills.

Since the age of 4, Keegan had been prone to dressing in traditional female clothing, asking to wear dresses to pre-school. At the same time, his family also said he exhibited strong stereotypical male behavior, fighting with his brother etc.

Keegan climbs atop his family home while playing outside.

Keegan reacts to his peers in his 3rd grade elementary school. His teacher says he his a leader in his class, and has grown a lot during the year.

Keegan stands with his 3rd grade classmates in between classes at school.

Keegan reads at home frequently, his favorite book is Prince + The Dressmaker. His parents have also included LGBTQ children's literature to his reading list.The objective, they say is to teach him the history so he can better understand what others went through and in turn appreciate his ability/right to do things like wear dresses/do drag. They frequently check out the book 'Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community by Robin Stevenson,' which includes the history of Stonewall.

Torn between worlds, Keegan has slowly begun demonstrating his gender-creative side outside of the home. Keegan plays with friends at the PTA Royal Ball at his school.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, middle right, his brother Noah, 10, middle left, parents, Megan, 33, left, father, Chris, 34, take a trip with his drag queen mentors, , Robby, 26, right, and Alex, 27, middle right, to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts to buy fabric in Austin, Texas, U.S., May. 11, 2019. The fabric was to be used for a new costume made by Robby as a gift to Keegan for his 9th birthday.

Robby and Alex have not only provided guidance on drag but acted as mentors as Keegan navigates the world of gender, home-life and school. The couple straighten Keegan's wig during a drag lesson.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, left, and his brother Noah, 10, right, play video games during a drag lesson at the home of Keegan's drag queen mentors, Robby and Alex in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 15, 2018.

Under the mentorship of the drag queens, Keegan’s drag life has blossomed. Robby helps Keegan rehearse for his upcoming drag performance.

Keegan jumps on the trampoline with his older brother, Noah, outside their family home following a drag lesson at the queens house.

Keegan wrestles with his friend Bishop during his 9th birthday party. Keegan says he has shared his gender creative choices with several friends but has only told a select few about his drag performances.

Megan and Keegan chat in Keegan's room outside his drag closet where he keeps most of his costumes out of direct view.

Keegan shows off his Drag book to slumber party guests at his 9th birthday party. "That's a boy and That's a boy, and that's a boy," he announced while explaining the book to friends. Picture taken in 2019.

Keegan plays with his older brother, Noah, outside their family home following a drag lesson at the queens house. His parents say that Keegan would often remain in full drag until bed time after one of the lessons.

Keegan practices his routine at the home of Robby and Alex.

Keegan says he has been bullied in the classroom and ridiculed by friends for having a closet of makeup, wigs and costumes. Fueled by the support of his family, Keegan has moved past his fears of exposing his gender-non-conforming lifestyle to his peers, to wearing his sparkly shoes to school. From the periphery a small triumph but to his teachers, family and friends a huge leap into acceptance and a way forward. Keegan plays on the playground during recess at the school.

Keegan pours glitter on his head during a his 9th birthday party. The glitter party was inspired by a Queer Eye episode. Keegan's family says he motivated to try drag after watching RuPaul's Drag Race.

As the years have progressed, so has Keegan’s fascination with all things drag, evolving from a hobby into paid performances. Feeling Keegan in need of aid, that Megan felt she couldn’t provide, she sought the help of the drag community to guide him. She contacted a married couple named Emma and Alex who perform drag professionally. Robby applies makeup as Alex watches behind at their home during a drag lesson.

Alex and Robby look on as Keegan dressed as "Kween Kee Kee," practices his routine for his upcoming drag performance at Drag Fest.

Alex, drag name, Alexandria Van Cartier, takes one final look before entering the stage during drag fest in Austin, Tx. Alex, says he tries to impress upon Keegan a sense of feeling comfortable in his own skin. He says the process of getting in drag take a long time and is very reflective. “Part of what drag has done for me at least, it's like if you're not enjoying what you're seeing in the mirror, like there was something wrong. And if I'm going to have to look at myself in the mirror for three hours, I better like what I'm seeing.”

Robby, drag name, EmmaSis, prepares to take the stage during drag fest in Austin, Tx.

Keegan and the queens do a full dress rehearsal in preparation for his upcoming first drag performance.

Alex, drag name Alexandria Van Cartier, right, a drag queen and mentor of a gender creative child, then 26, chats with friends before taking the stage during the International Drag Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 16, 2018. Alex, says he tries to impress upon Keegan a sense of feeling comfortable in his own skin. He says the process of getting into drag is time consuming and is very reflective. "Part of what drag has done for me at least, it's like if you're not enjoying what you're seeing in the mirror, than there is something wrong. And if I'm going to have to look at myself in the mirror for three hours, I better like what I'm seeing," he said.

Robby, drag name, EmmaSis, prepares to take the stage during drag fest in Austin, Tx.

Keegan look on after arriving at the Austin International Drag Fest 2018.

Keegan glances at another performer during the Austin International Drag Fest 2018.

Keegan and his mother, Megan, sit side-stage prior to Keegan's debut peformance at the Austin International Drag Fest 2018.

Keegan, drag name Kween Kee Kee, poses for the camera after completing his first performance at the Austin International Drag Fest 2018.

Keegan practices for his upcoming first drag performance.

Robby embraces Keegan following a rehearsal for his upcoming drag performance.

Keegan reads before going to sleep in his room painted in his favorite color purple.