Students bend bodies, gender at show

A sold-out audience crowded into the Great Hall on Monday night and threw dollar bills at men and women dressed in drag who sang, shook and sashayed across the stage.

The Curious Drag Show, the second semiannual event presented by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance, topped off National Coming Out Day and marked the culmination of Coming Out Week.

The show served to educate all students about gender in an entertaining way, said Sarah Carucci, co-chairwoman of GLBTSA.

"We're just excited about the diversity of the people who come," she said. "It helps make people recognize gender and sexuality in a way that you can't do in a classroom."

Performers emphasized the importance of using drag shows to educate people about gender and sexuality.

"It's a lot of fun," said student performer Curtis Main, who appeared onstage as Ms. Lolita Raquel Sunshine. "It's good to let people know that gender isn't so constant."

Five student amateurs shared the stage with three professionals who had been selected by GLBTSA members.

"This is my first show," said freshman performer Catherine Adamson, known by her stage name, Mr. Tom Bastien. "I've done drag before, but not in a show form."

As a new component of the show this year, the amateurs competed to win the title by soliciting dollar bills from the audience. Ms. Carmen O'Connor, known by day as Jeffrey Cash, beat out his competitors.

"I don't think I've ever been more excited," he said. "It's a great feeling."

Audience members said the show had improved greatly from last year's debut.

"All the performers did much better, especially the amateur acts," said sophomore Jess Donnell.

These acts performed before an unprecedented sold-out crowd of 450 people.

"I think it's great because nothing else brings the entire Chapel Hill community together," said Eric Schmidt, a GLBTSA member.

The show attracted many people from the community interested in gender issues.

"I'm really into interesting gender expressions," said audience member Mo Morelli. "I think the gender binary is a very false construct. I'd rather be a nongendered person."

The large turnout also was aided by the Coming Out event held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday in the Pit, in which music, balloons and free food accompanied a drag show teaser performance, said Alex Ferrando, co-chairman of the GLBTSA.

"The response we had to the drag show teaser was amazing," he said. "People were rushing up to buy tickets."

The day also included a keynote address by Jarrett Barrios at 5 p.m.

Barrios, an openly gay senator from Massachusetts, discussed his experiences in office. He also touched on his confrontations with the Massachusetts same-sex marriage proposals.

"By helping other Americans, we are moving towards justice," he said. "It's about pursuing the most American trait of all: equal opportunity for all people."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.