To modern audiences, the story of Brigham Morris Young sounds like a contemporary twist on historical legacy: he was the son of Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church, and a celebrated drag artist. Performing under the pseudonym “Madam Pattirini” from 1885 into the 1900s, Morris captivated Utah audiences with a convincing falsetto, elaborate gowns, and a remarkably sustained female persona.
Many attendees had no idea Pattirini was actually a man. While today’s observers often retroactively label him a “drag queen,” his performances existed within the mainstream, widely accepted theatrical conventions of the late Victorian era, rather than modern gender advocacy. Still, Morris lived a fascinating, dual life. He was both a dedicated church leader who helped found the Young Men’s organization and a pioneering stage performer whose theatrical flair left an unforgettable mark on Utah’s cultural history
