6 compete in IU's first drag king competition

The words "If you were a woman and I was a man" blasted from the speakers in the McNutt Quad Flame Room Thursday night, while Miss Gay IU Vanessa Vale kicked off OUT's first Hoosier Daddy Drag King Competition.\nSix female IU students dressed as males to perform and answer an onstage question for judges and a large crowd.\n"The crowd is already better than the first two years of Miss Gay IU as far as audience attendance," said judge and previous Miss Gay IU emcee Vicki St. James before the competition.\nVale hosted the event where six contestants were judged in three categories: onstage question, costume wear and performance. Six judges looked for qualities, such as confidence among the contestants.\n"I'm looking for someone who puts across a good illusion and leaves behind their female persona," said St. James, who said she was also interested in the contestants' answers to their onstage questions. "I want someone who is well-spoken, because they will be representing me and the rest of the GLBT community."\nThe onstage questions followed a performance of "Mambo No. 5" by one of the judges, Xavier Brooks, who was named Mr. Gay USA for Male Impersonators at Large.\nDressed in white from his hat to his shoes, Brooks pleased the crowd enough to be handed cash from several audience members.\nEach contestant answered a different question from Vale. Contestant No. 1 , freshman Kadin Kox, said one of the obstacles that needed to be overcome during the contest Thursday night was fear of the stage.\nThe talent competition followed the performances by "King of Clubs." Each contestant performed to a song, but contestant No. 6, senior Aiden, stole the show and the judges' votes with freestyle rapping and break dancing. Aiden received a sash and crown and will be Miss Gay IU's escort at the Miss Gay IU competition April 13.\nOUT is still selling a select number of Miss Gay IU tickets for $9. For more information, e-mail OUT at out@indiana.edu.