Drag show host Dee Dee Purr addressing the audience. Photo by Skylar Jensen.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Pride Center hosted its annual drag show Saturday, March 7, in the Student Union Bluffs, drawing hundreds of attendees for a night of celebrating identity, expression and community.
This marked the 22nd year the Pride Center has hosted this drag show, and $2,383 dollars were donated by attendees during the performances. This money will go towards a scholarship for LGBTQIA+ students.
The Pride Center works to support, include and celebrate individuals across all gender identities, gender expressions and sexual and romantic orientations. It also strives to recognize and respect the diverse and intersectional experiences, perspectives, identities and needs of LGBTQIA+ students and faculty.
A total of 374 people attended the event, filling the venue with energy and support for the performers. Many in the audience described the show as more than just entertainment.
“For many people, I feel like this event is not just a show, but a reminder that there are places on campus where they can fully be themselves,” said a UWL student.
Throughout the night, performers took the stage while the audience responded with loud cheers and applause. The Pride Center’s drag show created an environment where students could openly celebrate their identities and feel supported by their community in return.
“Drag is art, drag is expression, this is why I love our campus community,” said a UWL student.
Several students also noted the importance of having spaces on campus where people feel comfortable expressing themselves.
“Watching the show tonight, it was really clear how successful the Pride Center has been at creating a space where confidence and self-expression can be displayed,” said one UWL student.
Others said the event left them feeling optimistic about the support within the campus community.
“It makes me feel happy and hopeful that there are spaces like this, where people can express themself and see how many people back them, and their community,” stated a UWL student.
In addition to the performances, the event also featured an art show that highlighted creative work from members of the UWL community. This included pieces that explored themes of identity, self-expression and LGBTQIA+ experiences.
Attendees had the opportunity to view and purchase the artwork before, after and during the drag show, adding another layer of creativity and reflection to the evening’s celebration.
Continued support for the Pride Center helps ensure that UWL remains a campus where all students have access to spaces that promote inclusion, support and a sense of belonging.
