OUT! kicks off holiday season with “Queens Who Care”

As drag queens lip-synched to “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” it was clear that the season of giving had commenced.

OUT!, IU’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Union, was host to its first “Queens Who Care” event to raise money for Bloomington Hospital’s Positive Link program, which benefits people with HIV/AIDS.

The IU Fine Arts Auditorium flashed festively Sunday with various holiday lights lining the aisles of the small auditorium.

On stage, a projected snowflake background shined brightly as techno lights spun in rhythm to the music blaring in the background. At the entrance to the auditorium, donations and non-perishable food items were collected from incoming guests.

“The donations are going to come from whatever we get at the door, and all of the performers are going to donate their tips to the cause as well,” said Josh Sutton, president of OUT!.

Britney Taylor, Miss Gay IU, worked in collaboration with OUT! and the Miss Gay IU pageant to organize the event and put together the drag queen acts.

Queens Who Care featured various performers such as former Miss Gay IU winners Bianca Defy and Della Licious. Each animated performer lip-synched to a favorite song as eager audience members handed out tips.

In addition to the performances, Queens Who Care also held a raffle where, for a dollar per ticket, anyone could win prizes such as gift certificates to Red Lobster or Olive Garden or a MAC makeup box worth $100.

Proceeds from the raffle went to Positive Link – a program that provides no cost services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The program serves a large part of south central Indiana.

While the event was entertaining, first and foremost, it was for charity.

“The main purpose is to raise money and hopefully some food for Positive Link of Bloomington,” Sutton said.