GALLERY: Drag show ‘Mas-QUEER-ade’ gives back to charity
Masqueerade, a drag show held by NKU Common Ground, brought together drag queens, kings and the campus community for an evening of fun.
Crystyle Starr and an array of kings and queens, both amateur and professional, donned vibrant costumes as they performed, music blasting through the Student Union ballroom.
An array of guests filled the Student Union for the popular semi-annual event, the Fall Benefit Drag Show titled Masqueerade, held by NKU Common Ground which occurred on Oct. 21.
Students left their seats, or at times waved dollar bills in the audiences, to hand money to the performers, which went towards the charity GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
Vic Rice, freshman athletic training major, won the amateur drag show contest.
“I always wanted to get into drag,” Rice said. “I feel pretty good. The adrenaline still hasn’t worn off yet.”
Rice danced to “Pony” song by Ginuwine. The crowd was going wild over each step, and students rushed to throw dollar bills at his pants.
Founded in 1990, GLSEN seeks to end discrimination, harassment and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in K-12 schools.
Mona Lots, a sophomore journalism major, signed up for the amateur drag show contest.
“Hell yeah, sign me up, it was something I always wanted to do but didn’t have the opportunity,” Lots said.
Sophomore anthropology major Amber Caines, president of NKU Common Ground, helped plan the drag show amongst other previous events.
She said the overall goal is to create more programs that can diversify NKU.
NKU Common Ground is an LGBTQ student group that welcomes individuals of any identity. Students are able to come together and support each other, to seek support as they face challenges in their lives as well as to create friendships.
Riviera Gloomy, a freshman integrated studies major, felt that participating in the amateur drag show contest was a way to show support for the LGBTQ community.
“It’s really an empowering experience,” Gloomy said. “I love the costumes and all the drag queens are amazing.”
Common Grounds meetings are every Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. The location is announced each week on their Facebook page.
