GLBTSA fashion event was also a fundraiser

For men, finding women’s clothes that fit might be a hassle.

But the drag queens who starred in the UNC Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight Alliance’s fall drag show, “Dirty Pop,” said they never have that problem.

“You basically just go into a store like Bebe and say, ‘I need some clothes to dress in drag,’ and they are like ‘Okay, girl, we’ve got you!’” said 2010 alumnus George Drometer, who helped put together the show while taking part.

Drometer and senior Noel Bynum, who also organized the show, danced in the Great Hall to pop artists like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga with other GLBTSA members in the drag show Thursday night. The group puts on one drag show each semester.

“Drag shows are a safe haven for sexual expression,” Bynum said. “This show was a way to give back to the community as a whole.”

The show’s proceeds went to the recently opened Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center in Raleigh, Bynum said.

“If these people can be themselves, then we are accomplishing something,” said Ms. Vivian Vaughn, a UNC alum and show headliner.

Vaughn, who will be competing in an upcoming Miss Gay North Carolina America competition, said she gets many of her clothes from a Raleigh costume designer, but does not neglect shopping at the mall.

“You just have to know the image you want to project, and then you can dress up your costume and embellish it how you want,” Vaughn said.

Ms. Patti Flat, the show’s emcee, said she saw the black sequined jacket she was wearing in a store window and had to purchase it.

“I saw this number in the doorway and said ‘Liza Minnelli would wear this!’” Flat, a graduate student at UNC School of the Arts, said.

Students who dressed in drag said they got most of their clothes from inexpensive stores at the mall.

“I like the Body Shop because they make comfortable clothes that are easy to dance in,” Bynum said.

Male participants said they also liked that most stores did not mind if they tried on women’s clothing.

“Charlotte Russe is really nice about letting guys try things on,” junior Liana Roux said.

Junior Brandon Ring, who dressed as a Spice Girl Thursday night, said that workers were enthusiastic about helping them.

“One of the ladies who worked there and helped us with our clothes liked us so much that she is even coming to our show,” Ring said.

“We mainly try to find cheap clothes and then embellish them so they look more like our costume.”

Shoes aren’t a problem, either.

“All you need are heels sturdy enough for a man,” Vaughn said.

Most of the male participants said they rarely have trouble finding a woman’s shoe size that matches their own.

“It’s sometimes hard to find the exact size and fit, but we make it work,” said Drometer, who sported 4-inch Bebe heels.

Participants also frequently scour the internet for uncommon sizes, using websites devoted to providing drag clothing and shoes.

“The internet has really changed it for us,” Vaughn said. “We no longer have to walk into women’s stores and ask to try on shoes.”

Vaughn said she is glad that people finally have the ability to be themselves.

“Drag queens are not receiving confidential newsletters in the mail like they did in the 1970’s,” Vaughn said.

It’s all about confidence, Flat said.

“Part of the drag show is comical, but it really takes courage for someone to get up on stage and do this.”

Contact the Arts Desk at artsdesk@unc.edu.