SGA hosts drag show on campus
Drag queen Debbie with a ‘D’ performs at Loyola’s first drag show on May 5, 2023. The event was hosted by student government association.
May 10, 2023
At a time when drag is being restricted in legislation, Loyola’s student government association hosted its first drag show on campus.
Mass communication junior and SGA diversity, equity, and inclusion officer Angel Martinez hosted the event, which he said came into fruition after seeing other Jesuit universities host drag shows.
“I figured ‘why can’t we do it?’” he said.
The event featured performers Debbie with a ‘D’ and Laveau Contraire.
Contraire said it felt amazing to be part of Loyola’s first drag show.
“It feels like such an important time to be representing the drag community and showing that we mean no harm, that we’re just here to provide joy, inclusion, and entertainment,” Contraire said.
Martinez said while this was the university’s first drag event, he hopes they will become a tradition.
“[Drag] is an art. It’s a safe place for the queer community,” he said. “And I think it’s very important, as a Jesuit school, that we highlight that.”
David • May 18, 2023 at 6:24 am
Drag is the equivalent of “black face” to women. Some may call it art, but it has no place in our society. If a person wants to live as a woman, that’s up to them, but none of us should be on stage mocking what it meets to be a race or gender. Are we not trying to break stereotypes of what a woman should be?
MJ Rogers • Jul 7, 2023 at 10:08 am
This topic has been addressed many times and has usually been dismissed. As a female – and a feminist – I’m not offended by drag at all. It’s a form of entertainment created by the LGBT+ community (including women, because drag queens are frequently escorted by drag kings, who
do indeed exist) to entertain that entire community (again, including the women) with their art. It’s an art that has been heavily informed by the many straight women who have helped create costumes, taught makeup and hair styling, and played piano during rehearsal. Women have always been part of the drag show community. Unlike blacks and blackface, women have participated both backstage and as performers in making drag what it is.