As Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night" blasted through the speakers, a boy in a purple shirt and black cardigan mouthed the words to his friend and danced to the infectious tune.
The music cut to Adele's "Rolling In the Deep," and a drag queen by the name of ‘Penny Tration' took the floor lip-syncing in a bedazzled gown and a full face of make-up; just an average day in the middle of the LBGTQ Bazaar during National Coming Out Week at UB.
For its second event of the week, the LBGTQ Bazaar hosted a morning of awareness through information tables, word of mouth, and drag on Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the Student Union. A rainbow balloon entrance and people in T-shirts that read, "I support equality. Diversity. Uniqueness. Wellness. Happiness. Love. You," welcomed in friends, supporters, and curious guests.
"I'm a huge supporter of the LBGTQ community and what they do," said Kate Corsaro, a freshman musical theater major.
The goal of UB LGBTA is to facilitate understanding among all students, and to establish a safe environment on campus. They promote knowledge, understanding, truth, acceptance, and respect for UB students' and the greater community, according to the club's Facebook page.
"I came out to myself when I was five," said Jon Hurst, a second year master's student in higher education administration program and organizer of the week's events. "I always knew something was different, I just didn't know what. As a Methodist and an African American, being gay was more of a challenge due to my cultural upbringing. With my mother, it's a continual process we work on everyday, but I am lucky to have her love and support."
Although Hurst has had a great support system, not everyone in the LGBTQ community does.
"That's why it's important to have these events at UB. Part of the bazaar today and the events for Coming Out Week is a support system for the LGBTQ community," Hurst said. "It's an opportunity to celebrate our pride in our community, and it's also an opportunity to educate the larger UB community about the LGBT community to dispel myths, or misconceptions, or stereotypes that may be out there. And to just educate the person that is genuinely interested but has no clue about the LGBT community."
The event is set up with multiple booths that all relate in some way in support of LGBTQ. Eddie Powers, a freshman musical theater major, made rainbow pride friendship bracelets with his friends.
"It's good to know, especially for gay people, that there's such a strong community at UB," Powers said.
The event provided an exciting morning in the SU as students flocked to see professional drag queens strut their stuff.
"I mean, where else are you going to find a six foot man in a dress?" said Mike Spinelli, a sophomore business administration major.
However, another kind of woman may have caught many onlookers' attention. Ellen Brauza, a priest at the Buffalo Community of the Holy Spirit, hosted her own booth in support of the event, week, and LGBTQ in general.
"We really believe God makes people all kinds of ways and loves them all kinds of ways," Brauza said.
Any students who wish or were inspired to partake in LGBTQ can easily get involved in the community. Meetings for UB LGBTA are held every Monday at 6 p.m. in SU 145B.
"Anyone can join the LGBTA," said Judy Mai, the president of UB LBGTA and a junior health and human service major. "We are opened for anyone to join."
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