To those who do not know, West Texas is a very conservative region. Located right in the middle of the Bible belt, it is not shocking that the Texas Tech University and Lubbock community follow this sense of conservation. This is why it is surprising that in the spring of 2010, the Texas Tech Residence Halls Association (RHA) in partnership with the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted the first Texas Tech University Drag Show.

The idea of a Texas Tech drag show was founded by the 2009-2010 RHA president, Jesse Saldivar. Saldivar was also a very active member in the Texas Tech GSA. From there the partnership of the event blossomed. Little did Saldivar know that this event would not only be widely accepted by the Texas Tech and Lubbock community, but also become an annual event.

This year, the RHA Vice President of Programming Traditions and Leadership Development, Erin Evans, had the opportunity to plan the 3rd annual Texas Tech Drag show. Evans decided to expand this event into an entire week of GLBT awareness with events happening every day throughout the week.

This OTM is to nominate the GLBT awareness week as March’s program of the month.

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At each event throughout the week, the RHA and GSA handed out VIP tickets. These tickets permitted attendees admission into the Drag Show approximately 45 minutes early, allowing for first choice seat selection.

On Monday, volunteers from the Residence Halls Association and the Gay Straight Alliance reserved a table at the Texas Tech Student Union Building (SUB) to hand out information about the GLBT community. Additionally, the students promoted the Drag Show by handing out approximately 250 VIP Drag Show tickets to passersby.

On Tuesday at the RHA general assembly meeting, a speaker presented information about the Lubbock chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). The speaker gave out pamphlets about the organization and shared many insightful stories about her two homosexual sons. PFLAG’s main principle is to act as a resource to its members and create awareness about the GLBT community.

On Wednesday the RHA and GSA hosted a screening of “The Birdcage” in the Student Union Building Theater. This event attracted around 150 people, proving to be quite the sensational experience. As people poured in, volunteers jumped at the opportunity to pass out more VIP tickets.

On Thursday, the RHA and GSA, in surprise to all in the Student Union Building courtyard, spontaneously created a powerful freeze mob. Each of the 50 volunteers received a shirt that said “I Support Diversity.” At precisely 12:27 PM the volunteers scurried together and quietly assembled as one, freezing for 3 silent, yet powerful minutes. After the event the volunteers handed out more information about the Drag Show and GLBT community.

Finally came the Drag Show on Friday. About 600 people attended with about 20 volunteers. The Drag Show commenced at 8:30 PM, kicking-off with amateur drag performances. Outside the event, tables were set up with information about the Lubbock PFLAG, GSA, and RHA. RHA sold extra “I Support Diversity” t-shirts with all the proceeds going to PFLAG. Students ID’s were scanned as they walked in and a tally was kept of whether the attendee lived on campus, lived off campus, or was a Texas Tech staff member. Bins were placed at the entrance, and volunteers roamed to collect donations for the Lubbock PFLAG. All tips that the Drag performers earned went to the Lubbock PFLAG. The event went on to raise approximately $1350.

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GLBT is an acronym for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender. The goal of the RHA and GSA GLBT awareness week was to promote awareness to this underrepresented population of people in the Texas Tech community. Each event throughout the week ensured to have some aspect of awareness tied to it.

Tabling allowed for hundreds of students primary access to information about the GLBT community. The Freeze mob of 50 spread a subtle, yet eloquent message relaying to several passing by students the feeling that we stand as one, though diverse we may be.

The RHA general assembly meeting speaker delivered an even more personal message to a few people. The speaker was open to questions and the forum created a comfortable environment for students to ask about GLBT issues that they may not have felt comfortable asking their friends. The movie night had a more indirect awareness aspect, but presented multiple relatable themes to the GLBT members.

Though the Drag Show garners awareness for this group of people, the ideal rationale is to raise money for the Lubbock PFLAG. With this money, PFLAG generously distributes multiple $1,000 scholarships and is open to the public.

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The first and foremost apparent, lasting achievement is the responsiveness and appreciation that is beautifully envisioned and uplifted by the week of events. One attendee stated that he was in a class that discussed various minorities and had to go to an event that was out of his comfort zone; he chose the Drag Show. He said he went into the event solely for class credit, and ended up leaving with a broader and more open mind in regards to the GLBT community.

The second achievement for the Texas Tech RHA is the lasting relationship we have established with the GSA. We now have an open opportunity to partner with them on other events that will allow for continuous support of each other in various ways.

The most thrilling thing about hosting this 3rd annual event is the fact that most students living on campus next year will not have known a time when there was no drag show; it will just be considered something that Texas Tech hosts each year. An event started three years ago continues to take positive steps in the community and will hopefully keep spearheading the way and help others be more tolerant.

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Overall, expanding the previously one night Drag Show event into a weeklong of GLBT awareness flourished into what has become prideful tradition widely accepted by the Texas Tech community. The drag show is specifically held on campus to permit students the opportunity to experience what lies beyond their own comfort zone, but is done in an environment in which solace can be attained.

The RHA and GSA used VIP tickets to allow drag show guests the exclusiveness of entering the event 45 minutes early. Last year the same was done, though with colored wrist bands; with it came pros and cons. On the positive side, the ticket holders felt more elite for having the opportunity to get into the event early. The tickets, instead of wrist bands, were more customized and included information about the event on them. On the down side, many students wrongly thought that a ticket was required to gain access into the drag show. This may or may not have hindered attendance.

In all, for the past three years, there has been increasing hype about the drag show, as it continues to draw a diverse and more accepting population.

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As previously stated, West Texas is a conservative region. Three years ago when the idea of a drag show was brought to the table, I honestly believed that it would not gain any ground. Since then it has proven itself a great stepping stone in raising the voice of the GLBT community every year.

This event can be adapted to other schools by first evaluating the current acceptance of the GLBT members in the community. Implementing a small program at first will ultimately pave the way for bigger and better events. Texas Tech followed this model in that RHA hosted a drag show the first year and it was not until the third year that the event expanded to a week long campaign.

The RHA found it extremely useful to partner with the Gay Straight Alliance. They had several supportive members at every event, and I would highly recommend partnering with any organization. Small schools have the opportunity to extend an open arm and personally change the way many people view the GLBT community for the better. For larger schools, the opportunity lies within the RHA to plan large events that can have an impact on a broader audience.

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