Students dress in drag to support local charity

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the Grizzly Pride Alliance and the Women’s Studies House sponsors the third annual campus drag show in Custer Theater Friday from 7-9 p.m.

This year’s show is titled "Love, Laugh, Lip-Sync" and will primarily feature one of Indiana’s most well known Drag Queens – Avery Leigh.

Leigh attends Ball Sate University and has performed throughout the state of Indiana and has helped to raise thousands of dollars for various charitable organizations across the state.

"The dictionary defines ‘drag’ as ‘clothing typical of one sex worn by a person of the opposite sex,’" Terri Roberts, Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, said. "Many would agree that ‘drag’ as an art form and culture is much more than simply the act of putting on clothes, contrary to what the dictionary definition implies.

"While that definition addresses an important logistical aspect of drag, it fails to address the true essence that is felt and shown during a performance."

The drag show will be raising money and school supplies to support the MLK Day of Service School Supply Donation Drive, which benefits a local elementary school.

Admission for the event is $1 or a box of No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, or crayons.

Freshman contestant Lukas Bullock has never performed in a drag show before, but said he is very excited to not only help a good cause, but also to have fun while doing it.

"First and foremost I think it’s a really fun way to work with a charity because all the proceeds do go to charity," Bullock said. "I love drag culture, I think it’s really dramatic and funny so I wanted to partake in it a little bit."

Bullock is a member of the FC men’s soccer team, Earth Club, Best Buddies and Grizzly Pride Alliance. He said these things all play a major role in why he decided to participate in the drag show.

"Gender roles—I find it important to break down what’s expected of ourselves from society," Bullock said. "I may be a soccer player, but I feel like that shouldn’t really matter what you do outside of it. A sport is so hyper-masculine so I find it interesting to sort of challenge that and become a drag queen for a night."

FC Junior and drag show participant KaLeigh Hurley has been a part of the event in years past, and explains why she loves the drag show so much.

"I attended (the event) freshman year, and I fell in love with it," Hurley said. "I knew I had to try it the next year. I had so much fun last year that I knew I would do it as often as possible. It’s a blast.

"It’s for an amazing cause. You get to see a unique show while helping fundraise. Secondly, it’s an once-in-a-lifetime experience. You are guaranteed to be amazed by the transformations that occur onstage."

President of Grizzly Pride Alliance and co-emcee for the event, Michelle Rojas, knows certain things about drag that the majority of people may not, including the fact that one may participate in drag regardless of their sexual orientation.

"You can participate despite what your sexual orientation is," Rojas said. "That’s something we need to stress, because in the end it’s about supporting those who are LGBT and we are all a part of the spectrum."

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