Miss Gay IU hits campus Friday

Think big hair, tons of makeup and lots of feathers. This year’s showgirl-themed Miss Gay IU is scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. Friday in the IU Auditorium. \nIn its nearly 17 years of existence, Miss Gay IU has become one of the nation’s largest and most-attended drag pageants in the United States. The contestants will compete for the Miss Gay IU title through personal interviews, an evening gown competition, a talent production and an on-stage question and answer session. Friday’s show will be all about entertainment and fun, but OUT also plans to donate 10 percent of proceeds to an as-yet-undecided charity, said Miss Gay IU host Vicki St. James. \nMiss Gay IU is completely run and sponsored by OUT, a campus group organized to promote the welfare of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students at IU and to create awareness for the GLBT community in Bloomington. \n“The purpose of the event is to promote and celebrate diversity,” said sophomore and OUT president Joshua Sutton. “It serves to open up people’s minds to diversity and also to bring the GLBTQ community closer together.”\nThis year’s theme is “Showgirls.” Those who attend can expect to see lots of flashy costumes, feathers and rhinestones, Sutton said.\nVeteran Miss Gay IU judge and OUT faculty adviser Helen Harrell pointed out that Miss Gay IU is a great way to end the year and educate students about drag, which she said has been around for 2,000 years as an art form. \nSt. James said the event allows individuals to learn about performing and gives them a chance to experiment with female impersonations. St. James has been with Miss Gay IU for more than 16 years and has enjoyed it every year.\n“The students are great, and they seem to get a kick out of it every time they participate,” St. James said. \nShe said people are not going to know if they like Miss Gay IU until they come to the event. St. James encouraged all students, not just those who are part of the GLBT community, to come out and celebrate diversity on a night of “fabulous” entertainment. \n“Give it a chance,” she said.