15th annual Miss Gay IU Friday night

Although the local temperature has been well below average, it will be nothing but hot in the IU Auditorium Friday night at the 15th annual Miss Gay IU drag competition. The pageant hosted by OUT, IU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Union, and has grown to become the largest collegiate drag pageant in the nation, according to the OUT Web site, www.indiana.edu/~out.\n"It's our huge capstone event," said junior Lucas Elliot, president of OUT. \nWhat started as a tiny gathering in the Indiana Memorial Union's Frangipani Room more than 15 years ago has grown into a nationally recognized event, and Elliot expects more than 1,000 people to attend. The competition is the organization's big fundraiser and the money raised will go toward gay rights activism and other events and meetings. Also, 10 percent of the proceeds will go toward Youth Aids to help educate youth around the world about the dangers and risks associated with HIV/AIDS.\nThe pageant will feature up to five contestants who will compete against each other in a question round, talent showcase and an evening gown contest. The five judges include GLBTSSS programs coordinator and junior Will O'Berry, senior Kendra Clarke, OUT's faculty adviser Helen Harrell and a representative of the Kinsey Institute.\n"I'm not looking for someone who is going to simply perform," O'Berry said. "I'm looking for someone who is going to be an advocate for the community and take the time to do programs to educate people about transgender or other GLBT issues."\nTo qualify for competition, the drag queens must have been born male, and the pageant is opened to students, faculty, alumni and Monroe County citizens. \nContestants are judged on a pre-pageant interview in whatever gender they identify as. \nDuring the pageant, scores are combined from an opening question, an evening gown presentation and a talent competition. \n"Most people tend to lip-synch something because that's kind of common in drag," Elliott said. \nIn addition to the contest's components, there will be many performances providing entertainment with a "Disco" theme. The performers include past Miss Gay IU winners, a drag king and two emcees hosting the event.\n"The people that host the event are always very, very funny," O'Berry said.\nIn addition to "flowers and a big-ass crown," Miss Gay IU 2006 wins the prestigious title, a year-long reign and becomes the face of the OUT organization, representing them in parades and other community events, Elliott said.\nO'Berry encourages everyone -- regardless of gender and sexual orientation -- to consider attending.\n"If someone has never seen a drag show then it will be somewhat strange but it'll be also very fun," he said. "It's something that shouldn't be missed being that it's the biggest drag show on any campus in the nation."\nThe pageant starts at 8 p.m. Friday at the IU Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster and at the Auditorium box office. For more information, visit the OUT Web site.\n--Arts editors Kacie Foster and Michelle Manchir contributed to this story.