On the evening of September 8, a crowd of over 200 students attended the “Say Gay!” drag show in the Bromery Center for the Arts lobby. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts Stonewall Center, the event featured seven performers from the House of Hors, a Pioneer Valley-based drag company. The lineup included Loo D’flyest Priestly, Damela Cuca DeVille, Ivanna, Lance Mandible, Xiomarie LaBeija, Ruby Monroe, and Adam Apparition. Genny Beemyn, director of the Stonewall Center, said last year’s drag show saw a lot of student engagement and this kind of event will send a message of inclusion, and welcome individuals across various genders. During the event, the host Hors D’oeuvres greeted the audience and talked about the purpose of drag, providing an explanation for first-time attendees on what to expect. Fashion was an integral part of the night. Reflected through several performers’ outfits, inspiration was drawn from the Marvel universe to political and social attacks on drag and trans communities. The event featured 13 individual acts, with drag king Loo D’flyest Priestly kicking off the first half. Priestly danced to a medley of ‘90s songs, impersonating a male pop star.
