Drag queens speak to students about their lives as performers

The Read Center lounge was transformed on Nov. 15 into a large performance stage where drag queens strutted their stuff.\nAt Viva la Diva, three drag queens, all former Miss Gay IU winners, dressed in expensive looking drag clothes and layers of make-up and discussed their lives as performers.\n“As Miss Gay IU, I think it’s important that I represent the community,” said India Black, Miss Gay IU 2007. “It was fun to talk to youth and the school and let them know about our art form.”\nAll three drag queens performed at the beginning of the show and gave the audience a taste of what a real drag show is like. A question and answer session followed the show in which the audience asked questions about the life of a drag queen.\n“I think they asked some very good questions,” Black said. “We really like to answer questions because we get to get rid of misconceptions.”\nSome of the questions centered on whether being a drag queen makes them feel liberated and how they picked their characters’ names. \nThe former Miss Gay IU winners also explained that it’s very expensive to be a drag queen. Most people do it as a hobby, not as professionals. \nBlack said it’s so expensive that it’s hard to make money. The outfit Black wore consisted of a $125 wig, $300 worth of jewelry and a $1,500 dress. The outfits have to be specially made, and in some cases, the performers make their own outfits.\n“It’s important that people understand drag queens because we’re part of the community too,” said Bianca Defy, a former Miss Gay IU winner. “It’s the same reason why it’s important that (people) know what firefighters and police officers do. We’re all part of the community.”\nThey also explained the difference between drag queens, transsexuals and transvestites. They explained that drag performers are people who dress as the opposite gender. Some drag queens are transvestites, but many of them are biological men dressing up as women.\n“If people choose to live their lives as women, then that’s their choice and I support that,” Defy said. “I also support boy queens who are boys during the day. One isn’t right and one isn’t wrong, they’re just different lifestyles.”\nFollowing the question and answer session, a competition was held in which students could dress up as drag queens. Six drag queens and one drag king entered the contest. Third and fourth place received $50 Visa gift cards, second place received $75 and first place earned $100.\n“I think having a competition like that is good,” Defy said. “Whether you do it for fun or take it seriously, you only get better through competition.”\nThe drag queens also explained that it can take them up to an hour and a half to prepare themselves for a show.\n“There’s always going to be people who will criticize,” Black said during the question and answer session. “We try to be entertainers. There will always be people who don’t like drag queens, but we are trying to bring the community together.”\nHoosier Daddy 2007, featuring drag kings, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in Willkie Auditorium.