Eccentric costume ball a total 'drag'
Vivian Ho
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: News
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That sentiment, as stated by Spectrum Secretary Bridget McNulty, seemed to resonate with the 400 students draped in drag at the Spectrum Renaissance on Friday night, with men stumbling in heels and skirts and women donning male attire.
Some seasoned draggers were more enthusiastic than others, such as the winner of the drag contest, a student who would only give his stage name of Becca D'Bus, toting long fake eyelashes, spandex, a wig and a face caked with makeup.
"We're here to support people," said College of Fine Arts first-year graduate student Tristan Raines at the contest in the George Sherman Union's Metcalf Hall. "Rock on with the drag. Just do it, as long as you're having fun."
Another drag contestant named "Strawberry" wore a strawberry-shaped wig and a dress. Another sang to Madonna's "Like a Virgin." Others expressed themselves through eccentric clothing choices and styles, including a spiked multi-colored Mohawk, top hats and pirate costumes.
Some first-time draggers, including College of Communication freshman Jennifer Choi, used the Drag Ball as an opportunity to branch out from their conservative backgrounds.
"I grew up in a southern Californian suburb that was very conservative," Choi said. "It was a different experience for me. It was wild and worth it."
Spectrum Treasurer Raul Brens Jr. said the group hopes to make the ball a more frequent event held every semester. Brens, a College of Arts and Sciences senior, said the group made more than $1,000 at the ball, a result of the $4 admission tag ($5 for those not in drag).
"We're totally revamping the organization this year," said McNulty, a School of Education junior. "For the first time this year, Spectrum will be recognized as a cultural group instead of a social group, so we're now a part of the Howard Thurman Center."
"The definition of a social organization is a 'special-interest group,' which is the stereotype that we've been fighting forever," said Spectrum President Emeri Burks. "That kind of emphasized the stereotype that this is just a phase - we're just a bunch of weird people going through a thing."
Burks, a CAS senior, said the cultural status gives the group a power and a voice because it demonstrates that there is a "queer culture."
"It's a little frustrating battling BU's conservative roots," McNulty said.
Spectrum has more activities on the horizon with Queer Art Project, an excursion to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, World AIDS Day and the first Transgendered Week in the works.