For the past four years, Transylvania has hosted a Pride Week during the first full week of May to relative success. It’s an odd choice, I’ll admit. After all, Pride is traditionally held in June, so logically, it doesn’t make much sense for the administration to make a big deal out of something they have no obligation to celebrate. And yet, they do. Personally, I suspect their insistence is at least partially inspired by Transy’s large LGBTQ student population, as well as a few key faculty members.
But regardless of the reason, the gesture is appreciated. Speaking personally, I come from a small town where queerness was never even talked about, much less celebrated. For me, this is one of the only moments of Pride I get a year, and I know there are other students on campus who feel the same. And honestly, it’s nice to feel seen, to know that there’s a community around you – big or small.
It was precisely that feeling of community that graced Transy’s fourth annual drag show on May 1. The event was hosted by the Housing and Residence Life Department, showing up beforehand to set up the traditional candy bar and mocktail station. Guests got sugar-high to combat the end-of-year exhaustion before heading into Carrick Theater.
That night’s MC was the lovely Uma Jewels, who kicked off the night with a rendition of Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and followed it with an homage to the film Kill Bill. Kristin Mingle and Jayda Mack returned to the stage, practically veterans after four years of lighting up Carrick’s stage. Dr. Amaya Virgin had a powerful entrance, lip-synching to “Bring on the Men” from the Jekyll and Hyde musical while twirling around two feathered fans. Starlette was another wonderful addition to the lineup, as was Lasher L’Cher, who arguably stole the show with his final number, where he dressed up as Waluigi and strutted around the audience in-character.
It was absolutely, undeniably fun. Everywhere you looked, people were cheering and singing along to the music, some waving small Pride flags of their own. There were twelve numbers in all, two for each performer, and even as it got late and people grew tired, the energy in the room remained high. When the night was finally over and the performers came out for their bows, they received a well-deserved standing ovation.
As of now, I don’t know whether Transylvania will hold another show next year. I’m graduating in a couple of weeks, so even if they do, it’s doubtful I’ll get to see it. Still, I’m hopeful, as I know many others are, that this annual tradition will continue for years to come. After all, for us, this isn’t just a show— it’s a celebration.
