With over 50 people in attendance, Gamma Rho Lambda Chi Chapter's hosted the third annual drag show on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Jarman Auditorium in raise money in support for LGBTQ+ in the Richmond area, according to Braden Butka, a sophomore special education major.
Gamma Rho Lambda is a multicultural and LGBTQ+ inclusive sorority. The Chi Chapter at Longwood University became an official chapter in Spring 2017, per their page on Lancer Link.
The show was co-hosted by Butka and Sebastian Lacoss, a senior liberal studies major.
The show began at 7 p.m. with an explanation of drag and an introduction of the five students performing as drag and kings: Justin Gayyye from RVA, Cinderella and Rapunzel’s princess, TJ_Sonic22, Damien Verandis Ravenwatch and Zack Baggins.
In addition to the five Longwood students performing, there were two guest performers, Rose Wood and Leah Quinn.
After introducing the performers, Butka and Lacoss provided some facts about the history of drag shows.
“The current gay rights movement has its roots around drag,” Lacoss said. “Many of the frontline leaders of the Stonewall Inn Riots in the summer of 1969 were drag queens of color.”
Then the performers from Longwood were asked interview questions. The questions varied by performer.
After that the performers had their turns for their acts, most of which involved audience participation.
Justin Gayyye from RVA used an R&B mix for his performance, the Rapunzel and Cinderella’s princes performed to the song “Agony,” TJ_Sonic22 read a poem, Damien Verandis Ravenwatch performed to “Light ‘em Up” and Zack Baggins performed a homage to Ghostbusters.
There was then an intermission, where donations could be made for “Penny Wars” for people’s choice award.
“Longwood University (Gamma Rho Lambda’s Chi Chapter) is proud that we have a lot of talent and people to join us here tonight,” Butka said. “We are also thankful for our next performers, who came to Longwood for one night only to showcase their talents.”
The winners were then announced and the People’s Choice Award went to TJ_Sonic22. The act in first place was Justin Gayyye from RVA and Zack Baggins was in second place.
Tickets were $5, per Hannah Selfridge, a senior business administration major and member of Gamma Rho Lambda who helped as an usher. The profits went to Side by Side, Gamma Rho Lambda Chi Chapter’s philanthropy. Side by Side provides support for LGBTQ+ youth in the Richmond area.
“The revenue from the third annual Drag Show was raised for Side by Side,” Selfridge said. “With 56 tickets sold at five dollars each and four dollars profit from each ticket in addition to the additional revenue from the Penny Wars portion of the show the total funds raised was $281.73.”
According to Selfridge, Gamma Rho Lambda plans to continue having annual drag shows.
“This was the third annual Drag Show and from what I’ve seen, it keeps getting better every year so I have no doubt it will continue on within the years to come,” Selfridge said.
Justin Gayyyye from RVA with his crown after winning first place.
Rose Wood, a guest performer from the Richmond area, during her performance.
TJ_Sonic22 read a poem aloud.
