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A drag show is coming soon to a theater near you! It is recommended, if not necessary, to go to the annual CU Drag Show on Nov. 15 from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Rec Center.
Nicholas Morris and Garret Rose are this year’s coordinators – and they are bringing justice to drag.
RuPaul, the leading drag show host on network TV, would say otherwise, but honestly: Who cares about hearing opinions of people that are not me? That’s right, no one. I’m the few who can proclaim the absolute fab of this event, and let no other authority state otherwise.
To misquote William Belli (the princess of princesses in the drag world), “[Drag is] like Carmen Sandiego, but like whoreier.”
Belli, known on the drag stage as “Chic-Fil-La,” believes that drag is what allows someone to let out all of their glitter and shine. The way a queen presents herself on the stage is very much an art form – so it is best to come prepared with the best flair there is. But queens at CU are admired for the sheer will and guts it takes just to get on stage.
“It’s a fantastic event that opens up the gay community to the general public,” Rose said.
But he has also voiced his concerns with the event, saying that drag culture can actually be pretty transphobic. Some queens use words such as “tranny” to talk down to girls who they think aren’t ”passing” as females. Other terms, such as “he-she,” “transvestite,” etc. are also thrown around. It’s not just about being a queen, but also a compassionate, sassy queen – something much different than what we often see on public television drag shows, which displays the girls ripping each others’ hair out. That shouldn’t be the focus when a queen is just trying to be glamorous.
“It should be the tits in a flamboyant red dress, but with finesse and class,” Morris said provocatively.
Sadly applications to perform are now closed for the drag show. But you can, of course, still take your fancy clothing and join in on the party. Morris estimates that around 1,000 people will attend the event. The lowest-ever attendance rate is 600. What’s stopping anyone from going besides a lazy attitude?
“This is a popular event, which gets even more popular each year,” Morris said.
“Everyone is invited, and, again, who doesn’t want to look gorgeous?” Rose asked.
So come along and enjoy the show. To learn more about the drag show, you can visit the GLBTQ Center’s website here.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Josef Edwards at josef.edwards@colorado.edu.
