This past Friday was one of my favorite days: William and Mary Pride, hosted by Lambda Alliance. A fun-filled afternoon full of bounce-house jumping, cotton candy, and musical performances, Pride is a celebration of all sexualities and gender expressions, capped off with tons of glitter.
But my favorite part of Pride occurs after the festivities of the day. After the bounce house has been taken down, and the booths dismantled, students crowd into the Little Theatre in the basement of Campus Center to watch the Drag Ball. Professional queens from Virginia Beach come and perform, lip-synching and dancing in ways that I only wish I could describe in words. The incomparable Naomi Black has served as the host of Drag Ball since William and Mary’s first Pride in 2012. With her incredible stage presence and engaging personality, she makes every audience member feel like they’re at home, whether they’re a first-timer or seasoned veteran.
Drag has long had a confusing relationship with the mainstream media. For a long-time it was classified by the psychologists’ handbook, the Diagnostic Statistic Manual, as an expression of mental illness associated with fetish disorders. But anyone who has been to a drag show knows how close-minded this few was. Drag is not an illness—it is an art form. Between perfectly applied makeup, incredible outfits, and performance quality that would rival most musicals, drag queens (and kings!) represent some of the most talented members of our society. To create a persona and devote yourself so wholly to it is a marvel to watch, not only because it requires such an incredibly variety of skills, but because it denotes a level of confidence which we can all aspire to have.
If you are looking for an incredible performance, go to a drag ball. If you are looking to feel part of a community regardless of your orientation, go to a drag ball. If you are looking for the chance to see a role model who can teach you how to embrace your true colors, go to a drag ball!!