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The Dictionary of Sydney
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Kandy and friends performing at Ken's Karate Kl...

Kandy and friends performing at Ken's Karate Klub, Kensington 1981

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With kind permission of

National Library of Australia

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Drag and cross dressing Gay men

Subjects

Clubs and Societies Dancing Entertainment and Spectacle Gay Lesbian and Transgender Men Nightclubs Performing Arts Pools Swimming Theatre

People

Johnson, Ken (Kandy)

Places

Kensington

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Yang, William

Sydney based photographer, writer, and performer.

National Library of Australia

Drag and cross dressing

Cross dressing has aroused wildly varying attitudes in Sydney over the course of its history. Once subject to extreme legal punishment, drag no longer causes consternation in the streets, and is still part of life in the city.

Gay men

Long demonised and persecuted, gay men have been part of Sydney life since first settlement. Two centuries have seen attitudes and perceptions change dramatically.

Entertainment and Spectacle

Gay Lesbian and Transgender

Men

Pools

Swimming

Clubs and Societies

Theatre

Dancing

Nightclubs

Performing Arts

Johnson, Ken (Kandy)

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Gay female impersonator, drag performer and entrepreneur, owner of Purple Onion nightclub and Ken's Karate Klub at Kensington gay sauna, among others.

Kensington

Inner-eastern high-density residential suburb. Named after the London Royal Borough, it is home to the University of New South Wales and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

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