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 Obies 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
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