Kate Marlowe
Kate Marlowe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Kenneth Bies November 26, 1926 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 1990 (aged 63) |
| Other name | Kenneth Marlowe |
| Occupations | Author, entertainer, hairdresser |
| Known for | Mr. Madam: Confessions of a Male Madam (1964) |
| Spouse | Robert "Lonnie" Barnes |
Katherine Marlowe Bies (born Kenneth Bies; November 26, 1926 – April 30, 1990), formerly known as Kenneth Marlowe, was an American author, entertainer, and hairdresser. She gained recognition for her memoir Mr. Madam: Confessions of a Male Madam (1964), and was considered a trailblazer in LGBTQ+ history.[1][2][3]
Career
Early years and entertainment
In 1948, Marlowe worked as an exotic dancer at Club My-O-My in New Orleans, a well-known venue for drag and cabaret performances.[4]
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, she became a prominent hairdresser to celebrities such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Phyllis Diller, and Imogene Coca.[5]
In 1971, Marlowe hosted a vaudeville-style event titled The Tricia Nixon Wedding/Vaudeville Returns at the Nob Hill Theatre in San Francisco.[6]
Transition and advocacy
In 1975, Marlowe transitioned and began living as Katherine "Kate" Marlowe Bies. That year, she organized a fundraiser called The Ball to End All Balls at California Hall in San Francisco, which was attended by prominent figures such as journalist Armistead Maupin and burlesque performer Sally Rand.[7]
Marriage
On June 29, 1977, she married Robert "Lonnie" Barnes, an inmate at San Quentin Prison. This marked one of the earliest known marriages involving a transgender person within the California prison system.[8]
Literary and theatrical work
Mr. Madam
In 1964, Marlowe published Mr. Madam: Confessions of a Male Madam, an autobiographical account of her life in the drag and sex work scenes. The book achieved cult status and contributed to her public persona.[9][10]
Make Me Gorgeous!
In 2022, a stage play based on Marlowe's life, originally titled Mr. Madam, premiered in Portland. It was later adapted as Make Me Gorgeous! and opened Off-Broadway at Playhouse 46 in New York City in November 2023, receiving favorable reviews.[11]
Legacy
Marlowe's life as a gender-nonconforming entertainer, author, and activist positioned her as a pioneer in LGBTQ+ history. Her story continues to be revisited and honored through books, theatre, and academic work.[12][13]
References
- ↑ "Make Me Gorgeous! The True Story of Kenneth "Mr. Madam" Marlowe". Time Out New York. 2023-11-10.
- ↑ "Hidden No More: Gay Trailblazer Kenneth Marlowe and His Life Head to the Stage". Connecticut Voice.
- ↑ "Hollywood LGBTQ Madam Kenneth Marlowe". AMBER LIVE | Drag Queen Comedy. Archived from the original on 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ↑ Carlin, Dave (2023-11-12). "New play "Make Me Gorgeous!" explores life of often-overlooked figure in LGBTQ history". CBS News.
- ↑ Carlin, Dave. "New play "Make Me Gorgeous!" explores life of Kenneth Marlowe". WGHN.
- ↑ "New play "Make Me Gorgeous!" explores life of Kenneth Marlowe". Yahoo News. 2023-11-13.
- ↑ Wild, Stephi. "Photos: MAKE ME GORGEOUS! Celebrates 97th Birthday of Kenneth/Kate Marlowe". BroadwayWorld.
- ↑ "A Curious Evening with Kenneth Marlow". Digital Transgender Archive.
- ↑ Marlowe, Kenneth (1967). Mr. Madam: Confessions of a Male Madam. Mayflower Books Limited. ISBN 978-0-284-39245-9.
- ↑ Marlowe, Kenneth (1967). Mr. Madam: Confessions of a Male Madam. Mayflower Books Limited. ISBN 978-0-284-39245-9.
- ↑ "Make Me Gorgeous!, The True Story of Kenneth 'Mr. Madam' Marlowe, Makes Off-Broadway Premiere November 10". Playbill.
- ↑ "Mr. Madam / by Kenneth Marlowe". Wellcome Collection.
- ↑ "Kenneth Marlowe". Goodreads.