Amateurs Come Out For National Coming Out Week

Image via Maryam Sodeifi

Within hours of Friday night’s Amateur Night Drag Show Cabaret, Ryan Allen will do what he always does before such events; become Reann Ballslee, his alter ego and drag queen extraordinaire. He will squeeze into his outfit, contour his face in all the right places, throw on his hair and heels and become a statue of perfection — and though skirts may make you nervous, and you may not know your way around a tube of mascara, he still wants you to join him. Who knows, you may end up the belle of the ball.

“Everyone is invited to perform,” Allen, a senior communication major, said. “No experience needed.”
The show will begin at 8:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center Bistro. When the doors open at 8 p.m., attendees may meet with the performers and mingle before the festivities get underway.

The event is free, unless, of course, you would like to tip your favorite performer. There will also be dancing, karaoke and plenty of time afterward to hang out and have a good time.

“This is a chance for folks to celebrate whoever they want to be for the night, regardless of gender or appearance or anything like that,” said Allen.

Though this is not the wildly popular annual drag show sponsored by Program Board and Pride Alliance, which is always held during Pride Week in the spring, there will still be plenty of fast-paced music, red lipstick and full-length performances.

Allen said he envisions that there will be a “fabulous cast” of amateurs to tickle and tease everyone in attendance.

Friday’s drag show is to celebrate National Coming Out Week which is Oct. 4 to the 12 and is a chance for the Mason community to become better aware of the turmoil one goes through when he or she is trying to come to grips with his or her sexuality, and the struggles one faces when considering coming out.

The event is intended to show people that there is acceptance and community waiting to lend support, no matter who you are. “Coming out can be very stressful for members of the GLBTQ community,” Allen said. “For me, the Drag Ball is a chance for everyone,even if they're not members of the GLBTQ community, to kick back and have fun. It is one of many events Pride Alliance will be sponsoring.”

This event is a shining example of how Mason embraces diversity and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about one another. Everyone is urged to come out and show support, both for the performers, and for each other. So dust off your pumps and ready your hairspray, because this ball certainly won’t be a drag in the least.