Staff Editorial: Diva Drag Show generates both attention, diversity on campus
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinions
Like the divas who strutted the stage in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Monday, the drag show itself is not all that it seems.
For the first time in its history, the seventh annual Diva Drag Show didn't sell out, but only by a narrow margin; four seats out of 500 were empty.
This may seem odd in a historically conservative county and city. Our community is not known for its radical or new art, trends and methods.
So where does a drag show fit in?
The Diva Drag Show plays an important role in the university's commitment to expanding diversity and understanding for students.
According to Eastern's mission statement, "The university community is committed to diversity and inclusion and fosters opportunities for student-faculty scholarship and applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture."
Kirstin Bowns, vice president and event organizer of EIU Pride, said students are interested because it's something they've never seen before.
"Everyone should experience something like this," Bowns said. "I love how much the campus tends to love Diva. The show is supported by a lot of people and that's great."
And the community benefits as well.
Before the first Diva Drag Show in 2003, neither Charleston or Coles County ever had a professional quality drag show, as long as you're not counting the Charleston High School Mr. Mistletoe competition.
For $4 the drag show is open to anyone, and attracted more than just students.
Most people don't know that the Diva Drag Show is entirely student-run and student-funded. Months of planning and scheduling by the drag show committee ensure the event goes off without a hitch. The drag show is the second-highest attended event on campus after graduation, according to Pride member Nick Canaday.
National Coming Out Day, Day of Silence, educational panels and group activities are funded entirely by proceeds from the drag show. The drag show also played an important role in community service. Pride donated half of its profits this year to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services at Eastern and Project Lazarus, a 24-hour care facility for HIV and AIDS patients in Louisiana, according to an article that appeared in Tuesday's edition of The Daily Eastern News.
For the first time in its history, the seventh annual Diva Drag Show didn't sell out, but only by a narrow margin; four seats out of 500 were empty.
This may seem odd in a historically conservative county and city. Our community is not known for its radical or new art, trends and methods.
So where does a drag show fit in?
The Diva Drag Show plays an important role in the university's commitment to expanding diversity and understanding for students.
According to Eastern's mission statement, "The university community is committed to diversity and inclusion and fosters opportunities for student-faculty scholarship and applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture."
Kirstin Bowns, vice president and event organizer of EIU Pride, said students are interested because it's something they've never seen before.
"Everyone should experience something like this," Bowns said. "I love how much the campus tends to love Diva. The show is supported by a lot of people and that's great."
And the community benefits as well.
Before the first Diva Drag Show in 2003, neither Charleston or Coles County ever had a professional quality drag show, as long as you're not counting the Charleston High School Mr. Mistletoe competition.
For $4 the drag show is open to anyone, and attracted more than just students.
Most people don't know that the Diva Drag Show is entirely student-run and student-funded. Months of planning and scheduling by the drag show committee ensure the event goes off without a hitch. The drag show is the second-highest attended event on campus after graduation, according to Pride member Nick Canaday.
National Coming Out Day, Day of Silence, educational panels and group activities are funded entirely by proceeds from the drag show. The drag show also played an important role in community service. Pride donated half of its profits this year to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services at Eastern and Project Lazarus, a 24-hour care facility for HIV and AIDS patients in Louisiana, according to an article that appeared in Tuesday's edition of The Daily Eastern News.
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