“I’m a Man in a Dress, and I’m Not Afraid to Show That”

Olivia (a.k.a. Frank) says that drag is both a screen and a way of shedding her skin.James Hosking

On a Saturday afternoon, Olivia Hart gets dressed in her pay-by-the-week hotel room before heading out to Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, one of the last gay bars in San Francisco’s tough Tenderloin neighborhood. Fifty-four-year-old Olivia is one of several veteran drag performers profiled in Beautiful by Night, a documentary and photo series by filmmaker and photographer James Hosking. Olivia (a.k.a. Frank) says that drag is both a screen and a way of shedding her skin. “Olivia and I are pretty much one and the same,” she says. But, she adds, “my thing is not being a female illusionist where I look dead-on like a woman. I’m a man in a dress, and I’m not afraid to show that.”

Gustavo holds a photo of himself as Donna Personna. James Hosking

 

Gustavo puts on breast pads. James Hosking

 

Gustavo transforms into Donna. James Hosking

 

Donna in her apartment. James Hosking

 

Collette LeGrande. James Hosking

 

Collette in her apartment. James Hosking

 

Frank becomes Olivia Hart in his hotel room. James Hosking

 

Frank applies fake eyelashes. James Hosking

 

Frank, mid-transformation, pauses for a cigarette. James Hosking

 

Olivia, on her way to Aunt Charlie’s. James Hosking

 

Olivia nears Aunt Charlie’s Lounge. James Hosking

 

Donna makes her way down Turk Street prior to the show. James Hosking

 

Olivia fixes her jewelry backstage. James Hosking

 

Donna gets ready for the show. James Hosking

 

Donna prior to her number. James Hosking

 

Collette makes a final check before her performance. James Hosking

 

Collette performs “Sunny” by Boney M.