What’s a fundraiser if there aren’t people dressed in drag, performing for money?
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That’s exactly what happened Saturday night during the biannual SOGLBT* drag show, when a grand total of 28 gender-bending acts raised $2,700 for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center on campus.
Hundreds of students, faculty and community members crammed into the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom to tip the performers like strippers as they performed songs such as “Grease Lightning,” “Single Ladies,” “Billie Jean,” “Wepa” and “Big Spender.”
“I’m here to support the community,” said Dustin Molinaro, a Fort Collins community member. “Why else? Why not?”
Over the years, the show has grown substantially, and in addition to CSU students, it has started to attract performers from Denver. In its early years, the drag show would attract maybe 50 audience members; today, that number has grown to more than a thousand, according to a spring 2012 Collegian article.
This has presented an organizational challenge for the Student Organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (SOGLBT*), which is responsible for making the event happen.
“I’m largely in charge of police, security, the line and the performers. I got started my sophomore year. It’s such a positive environment,” said Ian Farrow, SOGLBT* vice president.
SOGLBT* has appointed a student as the treasurer of the organization in order to keep this money safe and accounted for.
“I’m in charge of all of the money and making sure no one steals it,” said Dat Luong, a sophomore engineering major and drag show performer.
The event has grown so popular that even police officers want to get in on the fun. According to CSU Police Officer Michelle Inge, several officers fight over who gets to work the show.
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“We’re here to support the event staff, keep the peace and protect the money. We just want to be sure that everyone has a safe time and has fun,” said Sgt. Adam Smith of CSUPD.
“It’s a fun thing to do for free in Fort Collins, but is still a great way to raise money for a great cause,” said Jordan Sowell, a first-time drag show attendee and the student engagement coordinator for INTO.
The show will be hosted again in the Spring. For more information http://glbtss.colostate.edu/.
Collegian Writer Alex Steinmetz can be reached at news@collegian.com.
