Celebrating Queer Joy with the Dyke Santa Contest
This holiday season, queer communities on both sides of the Atlantic have been celebrating in style, with a delightfully spirited Dyke Santa contest that has everyone talking. With performances that are both fiercely political and joyfully creative, this event has brought together people in a way that only the festive season can.
Held at the beloved Old Nun’s Head in Peckham, the contest was a spectacular showcase of queer expression and holiday cheer. Hosted by the charismatic Oran Keaveney from Booters Butch Bar, the event featured a panel of judges including London drag scene star Nat Funni and Vic Smith, manager of the iconic New York City lesbian bar Cubbyhole.
The contest was free for all attendees and saw participants embodying a range of festive personas, from classic Christmas characters to reimagined queer icons. Attendees were treated to a parade of dykey Santas, femme Mrs Clauses, and even a Grinch who cheekily handed out raw Brussels sprouts to the crowd.
One standout performance featured a butch fireman Santa giving a cheeky glimpse into their "sack", while a South London elf showcased some cunning tricks for avoiding TFL. Another Santa delighted the audience by stripping down to reveal gift-wrapped pants, causing the crowd to roar with approval.
The Contest Heats Up
The competition unfolded over several rounds, starting with a runway where contestants strutted their stuff amid cheers from the gathered queers. This was followed by an interview round, where audience volunteers had the chance to sit on each Santa's lap and discuss their Christmas wishes, whether naughty or nice.
In true festive spirit, some Santas couldn’t resist getting cheeky, inviting multiple attendees onto their laps, sweeping them off their feet, and even stealing kisses—all in an effort to win over the judges. It seems that whatever the volunteers might have initially wished for, they walked away more than satisfied with their dyke Santa experience.
The final round saw the judges narrowing the contestants down to three finalists: Iz as a sexy Santa, Suzie as Mrs. Claus, and Shine as an energetic elf. The finalists then faced a series of seasonally themed challenges in a timed obstacle course. Tasks included wrapping a present at lightning speed, consuming a dry vegan gluten-free cookie, downing a shot of Baileys or an alcohol-free alternative, crawling through a "chimney" made of audience members' legs, and racing back to the stage to proclaim "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!" into the mic.
The Joy of Community
In a nail-biting finish, Suzie was declared the winner, receiving a bundle of prizes including a Booters t-shirt, New York-themed Christmas ornaments, and treats from the Big Apple courtesy of Vic Smith. Suzie expressed her gratitude, saying she felt "honoured" and "privileged" to win, highlighting the joy that comes from being among community during the festive season.
"Honestly, when the crowd booed at [hearing I’m a] Capricorn, I felt like the underdog! And I think that motivated me to get the win," Suzie shared. "I was a bit nervous, this is my first queer event I’ve been to in a while. But fundamentally, it’s the joy of showing up and—even if I didn’t win—being surrounded by such lovely people."
"Being in your community, however wide or thin it is, is warming, especially at Christmas time when it’s cold, dark, and can be a bit lonely. Being in your community really matters; it’s wonderful."
Oran Keaveney emphasized that Christmas can often feel heteronormative, making it even more special to see festive motifs reimagined for a queer audience. "After running London Performative Butch and Femme contests, it was incredible to return to the Old Nun’s Head to kick off the holiday season," they remarked. "The different interpretations of 'Dyke Santa' were brilliant. We’re so grateful to The Old Nun’s Head for providing a space where we can celebrate queer identity."
Manager Allie Twist added, "We will always provide a space in our pub any day to celebrate our queerness, but this event is a perfect fit because we love Christmas as much as Booters does. Why wouldn’t we want to kick off festivity with a Dyke Santa contest?"
This contest is a testament to the power of community and the joy that comes from shared celebrations. As the holiday season continues, may the spirit of acceptance, creativity, and community continue to shine bright.
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