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It’s that time of year again, when glitz, glamour and glitter take the stage at CU.
Being held Thursday night, the CU drag show will bring freedom for all to be flamboyant.
Student drag kings and queens will lip sync their hearts out for the local community at 8 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom in the UMC at the Kings and Queens of the Jungle 2010 Drag Show.
Drag queens are males that portray themselves as women through dress, appearance and performance to entertain. Drag kings are females that dress and act as men.
Whether a king or a queen, in the world of drag, the performer does not have to be gay, straight, transgender or fall under any other social labels to participate.
It is a common misconception that participation in drag acts is limited to only gay males. All individuals within or outside the community are able to perform drag acts for the purpose of entertainment and gender expression.
A similar explanation is used for the difference between individuals who cross-dress and drag queens.
A cross-dresser is an individual who chooses to express their gender in a way that is not representative of their sex assigned at birth. For example, male cross-dressers may choose to wear women’s stockings and heels because they enjoy the feeling of wearing this feminine attire. It is important to note that cross-dressing is a form of gender expression, and is not in any way tied to sexual orientation or gender identity.
On the other hand, drag queens and kings dress as they do for the purpose of showmanship, rather than satisfaction from wearing certain clothing. Of course, who wouldn’t feel sexy in a tight, red dress? But drag queens and kings are performers and should not be defined by sentiments attached to clothing associated to a gender binary.
Drag is a fun and comical form of entertainment. A skit, song or dance is performed for the sake of a stereotype or an impersonation of a certain celebrity.
Whatever the act, drag is about the experience and not the statement. Enjoyment of drag shows is not limited to the gay community, but is a witty and amusing experience for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
When picturing a typical drag queen, many visualize gaudy eyelashes, flamboyant clothing, big wigs and a strut to match the confidence of a prized model.
However, not all queens and kings fit this stereotype. Many CU students, gay or straight, have decided to come together to perform at the CU Drag Show. This event is hosted by the university’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).
Margot Ripley, a 20-year-old junior international affairs and political science double major, is also a diversity mentor on the SPECTRUM floor of Hallett Hall and the CU GSA president.
“The GSA’s drag show is meant to be a fun, shared event,” Ripley said. “That being said, exposing people to gender bending is often educational and can break down barriers.”
She explains that the purpose of the drag show is to introduce students to the many elements of gender expression.
“I think the queer community at CU benefits from the exposure, and the fact that the community comes together to support the performers … the straight community also benefits in this way, because drag is in no way a purely queer phenomenon,” she said. “Many straight individuals enjoy dressing up as well, in drag as well as biodrag.”
Biodrag is a form of drag that emphasizes the features and characteristics of the gender you identify with.
Annually, the drag show is the largest student group event on campus, Ripley said.
“One thousand people every year come to support the drag community, and many of the attendees have their eyes opened and their ideas challenged surrounding gender and gender performance,” Ripley said.
The drag show is free, but seating is limited.
Involvement in any event or group on campus is not limited to sexual orientation or expression of identity, and anyone is welcome.
Students of all color, identities, orientation and status will be participating in this gender bending experience.
Tickets will be distributed at 6 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Come and watch the diverse students of the university dance, sing and show off just how fab-u-lous a CU Buff can be!
View the photo gallery from the show.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Chelsea Miller at Chelsea.lenore.miller@colorado.edu.
