Drag Queens and Kings Hold "Court" room

Oohs, Ahhs, Ows, and laughter filled the HUB Courtroom on Wed. Apr. 16 at PSU Pride's Annual Drag Show. Cecil Smith, senior, and Angelica Rosenthal, senior, opened the show with a mock performance of "Blurred Lines" by Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke. The audience was riled up and excited to what the show would bring this year. Alumni even came back to watch the show to support their fellow Pride members and performers. Hannah Tabor, Treasurer of PSU pride said, "The Drag Show has always been a night of both humor and talent."

For those who do not know, PSU Pride is the Plymouth State University Sexuality & Gender Minority and Ally community whose mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment on campus for the LGBTQA+ community. They hold weekly meetings every Wed. at 7p.m. in Rounds Hall, bringing in guest speakers and holding pride events, the drag show becoming one held annually.

At this year's show, the seats filled up quickly as the performers put the final touches on their makeup. The music could be heard throughout the HUB, bringing in many audience members. This year's participants were enthusiastic about taking part and were intrigued by PSU Pride's search for Drag Kings and Queens. The audience was blown away as they watched their fellow classmates lip sync for their lives in hopes of becoming this year's Drag Kings or Drag Queens.  

Dragsters from far and wide came to the stage and gave their performance all they had. Lights were flashing, music was booming, and clothing was thrown toward the audience. As the night went on the enthusiasm, fabulosity, and fierceness became ever more prominent.

Sam St. Jean, performed "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Cecline Dion, and couldn't be anymore thrilled to be the winner of this year's Drag Show. "I'm so excited, I mean, last year's winner was one of the judges so I feel really honored and happy," said St. Jean.

As for the audience members' reactions: "I really enjoyed the show," said Jake Stone, a first-year student. "It was a really fun evening. I came to out to support my friends and a good friend of mine was the winner...what can I say? It was fun."

Jesseca Martin, sophomore, said, "A lot more people came than I thought would. I laughed the entire time. All of the performances were spot on with the characters they were trying to be. I really enjoyed the Grease performance [laughs]. That was my favorite." This was great news for committee members to hear, considering the quick venue change due to unpredictable weather.

"It was hectic," admitted Hannah Dutton, Secretary of PSU Pride, "but worth it in the end. We had to move the venue so it was a little hectic making sure we had everything, but once everything was all set and done it was great." The show went on and ended up being a great success.

"I think it went really well this year," said Smith. "We ended up having a few acts that surprised us when they came out, but everyone just had a really good time making this come together. I'm glad there was such a wonderful turn out... a lot of people."

The Drag Show provided a unique experience for individuals to come out and really express themselves. It allowed many to fly free within those moments on stage and even provided a safe environment for the community and their allies to enjoy some fun entertainment. Dutton said, "I think it's worth it to have people exposed to the culture and exposed to something they're not used to."

"I think this whole night has a meaning," said St. Jean. "Robin and Fran [PSU graduates] were talking about when they attended school here and they talked about how they take a moment every time they perform and they think 'this never would have happened when we were in school here'. So I think that it's a big sign of the times, that we can have an open drag show and embrace this kind of art."

The excitement within the Courtroom that night exemplified that this art is becoming more and more socially embraced. Being true to themselves and being able to embrace it and share it with the world is important, and PSU Pride was able to give the campus community that opportunity.

As Brandon Pierre, sophomore, said, "I think the PSU Drag Show is a show the whole PSU community can enjoy, and even Mrs. Doubtfire would approve."