Drag Ball is Not a Spectator Sport

To the Editors:

In the 12 years since its inception, Drag Ball has become a part of many Obie’s college experience. It is an event that unites members of the faculty, College, and Conservatory. Inspired by the Oberlin Lesbutant Ball of the late ’80s, queer men established Drag Ball. It was intended to be a celebration of drag culture that is rarely visible in dominant social values. The Ball was originally held in a dorm because the College would not provide a public space for it. Later, the Student Union agreed to sponsor it and the Ball moved to Wilder. In recent years, however, Drag Ball has begun to resemble a gigantic campus party, rather than the queer space it was created as. Many see it as a costume show or another Safer Sex Night, where nudity is the goal. The culture and lifestyle that drag embodies are often lost in the over-sexualized atmosphere.
This year the Drag Ball Committee has made deliberate efforts to eliminate the voyeurism that has characterized past Balls. The phrase “Drag Ball: The Spectacle” has been removed from the banner flying outside Wilder and the campus has been postered with fliers encouraging all attendees to be in drag. Dorm raps are being held to inform students about drag. Security and the Peacekeepers have been trained to handle verbal as well as physical harassment. We hope these measures, both educational and preventative, will increase the respect towards drag.
The committee discussed the possibility of requiring all ticket buyers to come in drag, but this idea was discounted for several reasons. The most important problem concerns the definition of drag. There is no right way to be in drag. Drag involves an analysis of gender and stereotypes that will be different for each individual. It is impossible for the ticket collector on Saturday night to judge whether an attendee is in drag. Instead, the committee requests that all participants give thought to the outfit and personality they choose to display on Saturday. This is the motivation behind the Drag Ball Committee and LGBTU sponsored fliers. The posters provide suggestions and outlines for Drag Ball attire, not mandates.
There is more to Drag Ball than the outfits, though. The Ball is a fun night of music, dancing, and art installations. The tech crews have created spectacular sets and lighting designs that are sure to dazzle. So get out there and strut your stuff!

–Michael Hartwyk
Spokesperson
Drag Ball Committee

April 5
April 12

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