Decked in drag

Ben Deloney waited at the bar in Jake's wearing a short black dress, tights and heels. \nDeloney, a sophomore majoring in ballet, was waiting for Jake's weekly drag show to begin. He said he dresses in drag when he attends social events and parties. \n"I pretty much taught myself how to do makeup and stuff," Deloney said. \nBut Deloney wasn't one of the performers that night. He said performing constitutes a "right of passage." He stated it's not just something to go into; you must be invited after getting to know the veteran performers. \nBritney Taylor, Miss Gay Bloomington 2005, the current owner and promoter of Miss Gay Bloomington, and MC of the night, was one of the performers in Sunday's show. Taylor said that some of the performers begin preparing for the 10 p.m. show as early as 5 p.m.\n"Depends on how elaborate your costume is," Taylor said. \nTaylor has been performing drag for six years as often as she can and has already traveled across the country performing. Taylor said she is a transsexual, meaning she lives as a woman in her everyday life. She said some of the performers live as men and dress up only to perform.\nThe event, "boing at Jake's, alternative to your Sunday,", debuted three weeks ago. Taylor said the event name is meant to be ambiguous and that it is not supposed to give away too much information. It is supposed to make people curious enough to come out and see what it is all about. \nTaylor said the bar plays top-40 music during the show and doubles as a dance party. \nShe said Jake's holds drink specials, and students can come out early enough not to interfere with school the next day. According to Taylor, the event is meant for everyone. The event provides a fun alternative for a Sunday night. \nBetween performances, Larisa Niles-Carnes, the Sexual Health Educator at Bloomington's Planned Parenthood announced that in the future, the organization will provide an informational booth at the event. \n"We'll have condoms, pamphlets," said Niles-Carnes. "People really love free condoms."\nWhen some of Niles-Carnes' friends attended the event a few weeks ago, she found that it would be a perfect opportunity to showcase Planned Parenthood's educational information. Niles-Carnes' is interested in collaborating with various community activities around Bloomington to spread the word. She then contacted both Taylor and Jake's management for approval. \nShe said she can teach others to put on a condom using their mouth. Niles-Carnes said that she could have demonstrated herself, if she had a condom with her. The booth will also provide information on things such as STD testing and sexuality. \nTwo large projectors on each side of the stage displayed music videos and advertisements. Members of the crowd sat at bar-high tables in the middle of the room, two round tables near the stage and the bar area. Men of all ages constituted a majority of the audience. \nSarah Luttrell, a recent IU graduate, attended the event with her boyfriend. She said she was excited to see the show. \n"I think they (the drag queens) are fun and artistic," said Luttrell.\nThe first performer on Sunday night, Vicci Laine, lip-synched to a Reba McEntire song. The audience approached the performers with dollar bills and tips. Niles-Carnes said tips allow the drag queens to purchase wigs and other performance necessities. \nThe performers danced to the end of the stage onto a catwalk and out into the crowd. Some performers wore dresses with long slits that exposed more than just their legs. \nDuring her performance, Taylor unbuttoned her costume top and covered her breasts with her hands. Low-cut costumes, sequins and jewelry graced the stage throughout the night.\nBarry Key, a spectator from Bedford, Ind., came to watch his friend perform in drag. He attended the event its first night three weeks ago. \n"I appreciate the beauty in it -- the fact that a man would go to so much trouble," Key said. \nHe said he has also attended drag shows in other bars. \n"I appreciate the art and expression," Key said. "If men can look this good, there's no excuse for ugly women"