The Orbis

I remember last year so clearly. The lights began dimming, the music started jumping and all the Vandy kids in the audience went crazy.

No, it wasn't for the Fall Festival, Homecoming or Rights of Spring. This particular performance was constituted of only local celebrities. The costumes were simply amazing, the music was fantastic and everyone present seemed to have a wonderful time. With Wilson Hall looming in the background, Vanderbilt received some of the best entertainment of the year. By now, you're probably thinking, "I don't remember a concert near Wilson. What the hell is this kid talking about?"

Well, I'm talking about drag queens. Yes, that's right. I said it. The best performance of last year proved to be the drag queens on Wilson Lawn. If you were there, then you know what I'm talking about. If you weren't there then allay your worries, as you will have another chance, the annual Vanderbilt Lambda Association Drag Show is soon upon us.

Before I get deep into the issues surrounding the drag show, let's get some basic vocabulary words out of the way. Gay. Lesbian. Bisexual. Transgendered. Queer. High-heeled shoe. Wig. National Coming Out Day. That's good. See, even for the heterosexual reader, the words surrounding these issues are familiar. Now, let's put them into context.

What is a drag queen? Well, in the short of it, a drag queen is someone who performs extreme femininity for the purpose of entertainment. Yes, drag queens usually are men, but not always. Also, drag queens are the same as transvestites, but different from transsexual or transgendered people.

So, what is a drag show? A drag show is a bunch of drag queens performing (lip-singing and dancing) to music for tips. The drag queens who perform every year at Vanderbilt are professionals, and they do work for tips.

Drag Queen. Check. Drag Show. Check. So now, why does Vanderbilt have a drag show? Every year, Lambda celebrates National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11) with a fantastic week of events, including a vigil to remember victims of GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered) related violence, a GLBT and Allies cookout, and the Drag Show.

This year is no different. Many of the events have an important significance relating to the struggle of GLBT people everywhere and symbolize the commitment of the community to work for rights and recognition. However, the Drag Show is purely about fun. It gives all Vanderbilt students, GLTB, straight, or somewhere in between, the opportunity to come out and have a good time. Plus, the drag queens are really pretty.

So basically, the Drag Show is an opportunity for the Vanderbilt community to come together, have a great time, AND send the message that Vandy isn't a homophobic hellhole. So, on Friday Oct. 8, at 7:30 pm, you'd better be rocking out on Wilson Lawn. Otherwise, the queens are going to be angry. You don't want a pack of angry drag queens after you.

Article Tools