Sponsored by the University’s GLBT Center, the GLBT Community Alliance, and Pack Music Productions, Friday night’s cabaret combined entertainment with education about civil rights and diversity.
Hosted by drag queen Karma Electra, the show featured a variety of acts, both song and dance. This included groups such as Juice Box Stereo, Ladies in Red, Grains of Time, Fusion and the Paul Brothers. There were also individual student acts, including LED hula hooping by Zach McKinney, Britney Spears lip-sync by Josh Mills and Chris Jackson and a comedy singing performance by Jose Gonzalez and Michael Atkins. Some professors even participated; Rupert Nacoste , professor in psychology, did a poetry reading.
The hula hooping was a favorite of students Amanda Jones, senior in psychology and religion, and David Whitcher , senior in sociology and religion.
“The LED really made it pop and made it really good,” said Jones.
“There was so much passion in it,” said Whitcher . “I’m definitely going to be back next year.”
Between acts, Justine Hollingshead , director of the GLBT Center, would take the stage to introduce representatives from groups on and off campus that educate and promote diversity. This included the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, which promotes cultural competence development, and the new GLBT Center of Raleigh, located on Hillsborough Street.
The focus of the show’s education was on North Carolina’s Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, going to the polls May 12, 2012. There was a postcard included in the show’s program that provided facts on the amendment.
The program also included an information card on a GLBT-related alternative spring break opportunity. Students are able to participate in this service break in 2012 that would send them to San Francisco to learn about the homeless community there, understand the causes of GLBT homelessness and learn his or her role to break the cycle and empower GLBT youth.
Students who attended the cabaret believe that events such as this are important to the campus as a whole to promote diversity and educate a larger demographic.
“I think it’s vital, especially on a campus like ours. With the age group that we have and the different groups that are on campus, education is always important so having an event like this really highlights that,” said Jones.
“It’s great how they make it entertaining along with the informative aspect of it. So you came to see a show, but they also provided information about what amendment one includes, so it’s a great opportunity to reach a demographic that otherwise might be left out in terms of what [amendment one] actually means,” said Whitcher .
“It’s probably the biggest thing the GLBT Center does all year, and that is really good for visibility and making other people feel accepted at the university,” said Guy.
The show ended with a lip-sync of “I Will Survive” by Lily Diva-ine , a drag queen, who was later joined by the other performers as they led an audience chant of “Vote no on one!”
