Every year during the second week of October, the Student Union is filled with cheers, screams and men with cleavage.
This is the annual drag show sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance. The drag show is part of UB's weeklong celebration of National Coming Out Day.
For the past six years, the LGBTA has been presenting a drag show on campus in order to promote and increase the visibility of the diverse sexual community at UB.
"We want to show the people we are here, we want to tell them who we are," said Rachael Parrino, vice president of LGBTA. "And for the people who haven't come out yet, we want to tell them they are accepted, we are supporting and protecting you.
At 8:30 p.m. on Monday, the Student Union Theater will be transformed into a haven for men in dresses when the LGBTA will present an amateur drag show before the professional show on Wednesday. At amateur night, seven UB students, including five drag queens and two drag kings, will perform and compete for cash prizes of up to $75.
As is evident by the term "drag king" there will be no discrimination based on sex at the show.
"Basically, the amateur show is open to anyone who wants to perform as long as they have their music and clothes," said Parrino.
Christian Soto, a freshman nursing major, and an amateur drag queen performer, said he is looking forward to his chance to perform in the show.
"I want to do it because my boyfriend used to do it," said Soto. "I just want to see how it feels."
Ralph Walters, a freshman biomedical sciences major, said he is also going to step onto the stage for the first time.
"I just want to see how it feels because I've never been on stage before, and I want to see through the eyes of transgender people and feel what they feel," said Walters.
Matt Albright, a junior economic major, said he heard about the drag queen show through a Special Interest, Service and Hobbies (SISH) council meeting and said he was made into a fan last year.
"I went to the drag show last year, and I am planning to go this year," said Albright. "It is a good idea - more diversity on campus, and it is an entertainment event. It is a lot of fun."
While some agree that the drag performances will be entertaining as well as a venue for people who believe in sexual diversity to show their support, some are of the opinion that events like the drag show do not do much in the way of encouraging tolerance.
"I think it will help promote diversity but not necessarily stop discrimination because people may still think of bad things when they see it," said Kimberly Cheng, a senior business major. "People have to learn and understand it."
Shelley Hogson, a senior engineering major said that though she has a friend who plans on participating, she prefers to not be included.
"I personally wouldn't go to see it because of religious beliefs," she said. "They're entertaining but I don't feel like I would want to go."
Patrick Clemons, secretary of LGBTA, said that though he acknowledges that some people disapprove of events like the drag show, he and his organization have no intention of catering to their beliefs.
"We are proud of who we are," said Clemons.
Clemons said that even with all the issues surrounding diversity awareness and discrimination the drag show has just one main goal.
"It's a free show. I just hope people to have fun."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
