Eyelashes, wigs and stilettos were out in full force Wednesday night, Nov. 30 at downtown Raleigh’s Club 313. The occasion was a benefit drag show sponsored by the GLBT-Community Alliance.
The show gave students an opportunity to see their friends and colleagues perform in their drag personas while supporting the GLBT community. It was hosted by locally renowned drag queen Mary K. Mart.
Throughout the night, the energy consisted of excitement and supportiveness for issues regarding gay rights. The audience was filled with GLBT students and supporters who were eager to see the entertainment the show had to offer.
Chris Jackson, junior in psychology and vice-president of the University’s GLBT Community Alliance, organized the event. Jackson said fundraising and love of drag culture inspired him to put together the show.
“Its always just really fun,” Jackson said. “Drag performances are huge in the GLBT community no matter where you go, so it’s just really fun to see our students get up there and perform.”
One of the performers in the show was Adam Ward, graduate assistant at the GLBT center. Dressed in a bright pink wig, the crowed cheered excitedly as Ward’s drag persona “Lily Diva-Ine” took the stage and performed to Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass.” Ward said he was inspired to perform drag watching local drag queens and the Ru Paul’s Drag Race television show.
Ward said he has only done drag at student events, but enjoys it.
“Getting to dress up, impersonate, act like a female and look like a female is really fun,” Ward said. “To be able to have a lot of my friends out here and a lot of the students I work with here to share it with makes it fun for me.”
Paul Cash, senior in political science and president of the GLBT-CA , was another performer in the show. Cash graced the stage as “Ginger LaRoux” and performed to Christina Aguilera’s “Candy Man.”
Cash said he likes performing drag for GLBT fundraisers because it blends entertainment and spreading awareness, giving him the opportunity to experience life differently during the time he’s on stage.
“When you’re out there you can do whatever you want to. You can create this whole other persona and do new things that you might not have done in your own clothes.”
Like Ward, Cash said he was inspired to perform by watching local queens and watching Ru Pauls Drag Race.
The impact of drag on the Raleigh GLBT community was evident throughout the night. Ward said that downtown Raleigh has an especially vibrant drag community.
“A lot of students, particularly GLBT students, might go to the clubs or go to watch drag performances. I think it’s an outlet for entertainment and it’s certainly a part of gay culture,” Ward said.
Cash also said drag plays a large role in the local GLBT community and the scene is only growing.
“Just about every gay student goes to Legends and a lot of straight people go with their gay friends,” Cash said. “Every Friday and Saturday nights, which are the most popular, there are drag shows. I think it’s very prevalent in the GLBT community as a performance art.”
James Lord, junior in biological sciences business management, thinks drag is an important outlet and support system for the GLBT community.
“I think it helps guys who may be struggling with their sexuality and figuring out who they are and who they want to be. I think it shows them that it’s ok to do drag,” Lord said.
Students who attended the show believe it’s important to attend shows like this and show support for the local GLBT community.
Mija Nichols, junior in environmental technology and management, said she always supports the GLBT community.
“I come to show support for the GLBT community and also because its fun seeing people dress up and have fun performing for you,” Nichols said.
