Kind of a drag

Ball held to support new resource center

Corey Nelson / contributing photographer “Justin” from Trans’SYNC performs Friday night at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball.

While at a masquerade, there usually is the intention of hiding behind a mask, but it was more than obvious no one had anything to hide at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Mardi Gras Masquerade Friday night.

The benefit was held to help raise money to support a new endeavor at JMU, the GLBT Resource Center. To date, they have yet to receive ample support by the JMU administration; hence, they are financially "on the outs," according to Harmony social coordinator Cameron Hunt, a sophomore. More than $1,000 was raised at the event.

The benefit raised money through ticket sales, donations and a raffle. Hosts offered elaborately designed, hand-painted masks for a $1 donation and raffled off donated jewelry. Amidst all of those activities, however, was a drag show comprised of students and professionals.

"It's great because we get to stand up for whom and what we really are," said Adam Marshall, a visiting University of Virginia alumnus. The affair housed live music with a deejay, free catered food and dancing until 11 p.m. in the PC Ballroom.

Some students said they were surprised to learn that there is an absence of such a program, while so many other cultural and lifestyle programs have been endorsed by JMU. "It's very surprising that JMU doesn't already have an alternative life choice committee like other colleges do. It's like here they are suppose to hide it … why?" said junior Becky Mays, a self-proclaimed "straighty" who thinks there's nothing wrong with supporting such a program.

Harmony, the only GLBT organization in existence on JMU's campus, sponsored the dance, according to senior Johnalex Golden, Harmony executive director.

Golden, sociology professor Christine Robinson and Hunt emceed the evening. "Many of us are proponents of having a GLBT Resource Center here on campus," Hunt said. "We are doing this dance in hopes of showing the administration that there are groups on this campus that care."

To better educate the ball's guests, the ballroom was lined with boards promoting safe sex, encouraging nondiscrimination, United Against Hate pledge signings and information on support groups such as JMU's Safe Zone. Artwork by gay artists from JMU was displayed, and jewelry by artists supporting the program could be purchased at the event.

By far, the highlight of the evening was the drag show. Thinking of Hollywood's version of a drag show in movies such as "The Birdcage" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," these portrayals are not far off from what guests experienced at the ball. In total, there were 11 performances exhibiting drag kings, drag queens and transgender performers.

The performances varied in effect. Some dances, performed by students, were humorous with obvious intentions of poking fun at themselves. A prime example of this was "Sasha," a sassy redheaded drag queen dressed in a cop outfit, who shook her "assets" and danced provocatively with various guests. Others were first-class displays of talent and dance ability, such as in "Shanden"'s version of a break dancing pimp, to the beat of Usher's "Yeah," where she moved like a smooth Michael Jackson.

If the students weren't impressive enough, professional Roanoke-based Trans'SYNC, a five-member group of drag kings revamped boy band *NSYNC. Covering two *NSYNC originals, "Dirty Pop" and "It's Gonna Be Me," the group aroused the crowd with imitative moves and startlingly similar looks.

Taking the crown as the unforgettable drag queen of the evening was "Aries" from Roanoke, who moved to Kelis's "Milkshake" and 24-K's "Don't Go There." "Aries" stood out from the other performances and was the prima donna of the ball. There was an enthusiastic uproar from the audience upon her entrance, and she held the crowd's attention throughout a spectacle of dance moves. Vastly entertaining, she was the crowd's favorite. "She is spectacular," freshman Lisa Rostiser said.

The night ended with the raffling off of numerous prizes, including the grand prize of a $200 diamond stud earring set, donated by McComb and Gatling Jewelry.

Donning a shirt that read "I came out at JMU" on the front and "Trans JMU Grad 2002" was the proponent for the program, Joshua Bastian Cole ('02). Cole said he felt neglect and confusion while a student, and is glad that there eventually will be a program to help others like himself. "Visibility is important," he said. "This show is a step forward for the students at JMU."

For further information visit www.jmuharmony.org or attend its confidential meetings every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in Taylor Hall, room 305.