A drag queen, standing in the spotlight, says to young LGBTQ+:
It is the best to keep enduring. Just keep going. Dreams come true.
One of the drag queens is showing their performances in the small theater.
(Photo credit: Yerrin Shin, Staff Writer)
From March 18 to March 21, George Mason University Korea, in collaboration with the University of Utah Asia Campus, held Queer Pride Week celebrations, with several events held within the Incheon Global Campus.
According to Mara Wagoner and Angel Williams, members of the Patriot Activities Council (PAC), “The main motivation behind promoting Pride Week events is inclusivity, … we promoted those little events to help those who are different feel that there is space for them.” One of the events from that week was “Pie for Pride,” which was held in the Global Lounge in the GMUK building. The participants had the opportunity to “pie” professors by throwing whipped cream at their faces after donating 3,000 won.
Money donated during Queer Pride Week will be sent to the Korean NGO, Dding Dong, which works for the rights of LGBTQ+ teenagers. Participating professors included Dean Davis, Dean Matz, Professor Colchao, Professor Drolet, Professor Leonard, and Professor Ross. The event was significant as it stimulated various school members to donate for LGBTQ+ rights and allowed close interaction between students and professors.
In the same week, a Drag Show was held in the Multi-Complex Building small theater. A drag show is a type of performance involving men wearing women's clothing or the other way around. As the field of drag is changing, its meaning is also expanding. At the event, drag queens Jong-ja and Jelly Belly each performed two songs. They danced, lip-synced to the music they chose, and wore elaborate makeup and shiny clothing. Before the next stage, the PAC members had a ‘Guess the Song’ game, and there was a Q&A session afterward.
When the drag queens were asked how drag supports themselves, Jong-ja replied: “Drag is my life. … I began my transition after starting drag and drag gave me the power and courage during the transition. In some points of view, drag is a rebellion against contemporary society. We are not doing what society wants us to do, not behaving or dressing in the way the society wants us to.”
The LGBTQ+ Pride Week events showed awareness and inclusiveness to LGBTQ+ people in general, including those in GMUK. “The main goal of having these events was to make people feel more comfortable at their school because they spend a great deal of time in here,” said Angel Williams, who promoted the events.
LGBTQ+ students are an integral part of the GMUK community, prompting a call for inclusivity among university members. In a bid to foster a more welcoming environment, Pride Week was an event characterized by its vibrancy and passion for encouraging LGBTQ+ inclusivity within the IGC.
Students are throwing pies at professors in the “Pie for Pride” event.
(Photo Credit: Mason Korea's official Instagram account)
Written by Yerrin Shin | Staff Writer
Revised by Seohyun Kim | Managing Editor