GLBT Drag Show creates an uninhibited atmosphere in Hendrix

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Union president Jason Simone has taken the organization in a new direction by forging bonds with administration and student government in order to promote diversity, tolerance and understanding as well as to paint the group in a new light. The challenge for the group this year focused on hosting a drag show on campus.

"Throwing a drag show is always somewhat of a challenge, especially this year," he said. "There were many questions brought up about the content of the show and what the queens were…or weren't wearing. However, you can only tone down a drag show so much before it turns into something completely different."

GLBT, formerly B-GLAD, was founded April 20, 1994 and has been dedicated to the cause of promoting diversity awareness ever since. The GLBTSU provides students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender as well as their allies a place to connect for a common cause and also engage in community service.

Simone said after the performance, "GLBT wanted to create an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome and could enjoy this performance. I think we succeeded." The reception by heterosexual and homosexual students alike was enough to confirm the open and accepting atmosphere created by the event.

The show's emcee, Katelynn Cusanelli, a transgender female from The Real World: Brooklyn, kept the atmosphere lively as the renowned entertainers performed and lip-synced to popular music.

The show's list of performers ranged from local to out of state and each performer brought something different and unique to the table.

With performers such as Kirby Kolby the star of Legends Nightclub in Raleigh, Michelle Michaels the feature queen of Greenville, Doreae Saunders star of the television show America's Got Talent and Natasha Divine; the audience was entertained by the unexpected twists and turns during the show.

In drag performances the drag queens are tipped dollars by audience members based on their talent and level of entertainment, in Hendrix theatre faux dollars were passed out and audience members and "tipped" the performers during the duration of their respective segments.

"There were legal issues with the University regarding tipping, which is a huge part of the crowd experience…that's why we had fake dollar bills so hopefully everyone got a feel for how shoes really happen" Simone stated. Both students and even young children were engaged by the panache of each performer.

Simone said it is the aim of GLBT to include those gay, straight, or otherwise in their quest for diversity and understanding.

Drag shows actually date back hundreds of years. During performances of ancient Greek and Roman plays men would dress as women because females were not allowed to be performers. Due to the sexual ambiguity of some of these performers the evolution for men dressing as women in day-to-day life became more widely accepted.

In Native American culture, cross-dressing berdaches were widely respected as prophets and seers who were able to glimpse the world through masculine and feminine perspectives.

"Drag shows are also a way to connect to the ECU community. There weren't only students in the crowd but a lot of Greenville residents as well; we really want to create an inclusive environment for everyone.

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