A Welsh barber found love with a drag queen in Darwin, Australia, after relocating due to immigration restrictions. Their connection blossomed during the COVID-19 pandemic and led to marriage and a move to New South Wales.
From Wales to Darwin
In 2015, the man moved to Sydney from north Wales in the UK. However, changes to Australian immigration rules meant he would need to relocate to Tasmania or the Northern Territory to gain permanent residency as a barber. He chose Darwin in 2018, admitting he feared Tasmania’s weather would be too similar to that of Britain.
A Chance Encounter on Grindr
He first connected with Ben Graetz on Grindr, who offered to show him around Darwin and inquired about his move. Graetz invited him to a Darwin Pride pool party.
Meeting Miss Ellaneous
At the pool party, he was surprised to discover that Graetz was performing as his drag queen persona, Miss Ellaneous. He described being captivated by her performance, watching her dance and interact with the crowd, and being invited backstage to see her costumes.
A Growing Connection
The two spent the day together, with the man observing Graetz’s confidence and generosity on stage and enjoying their easy connection off stage. Others noticed their chemistry, commenting on how well they suited each other, though they initially dismissed any romantic potential.
COVID-19 and a Deeper Bond
The COVID-19 pandemic grounded both of them in Darwin, leading to more time spent together. A weekend getaway to Dundee solidified their feelings, and he realized he was in love while playing Scrabble on the veranda.
Marriage and New Beginnings
The couple married in Sydney in 2022 with only two witnesses, followed by celebrations in Darwin, Sydney, and Liverpool, UK. They moved to Brunswick Heads in northern New South Wales in February of the previous year, where he found work as a self-employed barber. Graetz continues to travel for performances, but the proximity of two domestic airports makes it easier to connect.
Celebrating Culture and Love
Graetz is a First Nations man with cultural ties to Malak Malak, Kungarakan, Muran Clan (Iwaidja) and Torres Strait Islands (Badu Island). The man expressed his joy in learning about Graetz’s culture and sharing his own Welsh heritage, appreciating the added dimension it brings to their relationship. He described Graetz as kind, generous, loving, driven, calm, and loyal, and expressed his pride in his achievements, including his drag performances as Tina, Bogan Villea, and Miss Ellaneous.
Ben Graetz performs his show Tina: A tropical love story at the Round Theatre in Melbourne as part of the Midsumma festival, on 6 February.
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