WKU Housing & Residence Life held its 10th annual WKU Drag Show last night, marking a decade of performances for the campus and Bowling Green community.
With the recent national efforts to end DEI programs, the current political state was a consistent topic throughout the night.
“Diversity, equity, inclusion is not just about letting drag queens come up here and be fabulous, it’s about people being allowed to exist, ” drag queen and host of the night, Veronika Electronika. “I hope and pray that the university allows this type of programming to continue so we can do all these fabulous things that we do.”
However, both HRL and the performers assured that there aren’t any intentions of the show going away anytime soon.
“House Bill 4 doesn’t say anything about gender, and so we’re still able to host events like this without any repercussions from the government, or any bills that may invest along with that,” said Chad Lawhorn, the Freshman Village area coordinator and community engagement committee chair.
Kentucky House Bill 4, which requires all public universities to cut DEI programs and prevents funds from being used for DEI-related programs and activities, was officially passed after the Kentucky General Assembly voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto at the end of March.
On a national level, President Donald Trump issued the executive order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” in January, which eliminates all DEI programs throughout the national government.
According to Lawhorn, the show’s existence is important because it empowers both the drag queens and the audience.
Lawhorn recalled last year’s show when a student claimed they felt more alive than they ever have in their life after getting to perform on stage with the drag queens.
“We opened up a door for that person and that’s all we’re trying to do is help people find who they are,” Lawhorn said.
Queen Venus Knight holds the title of Miss Bowling Green Pride 2021 and has performed at every show since the “WKU Drag Show” began in 2015.
According to Venus Knight, the show has brought in more than 500 attendants in the past.
“I think that the audience truly makes us feel like celebrities,” Knight said. “The love that the audience gives us is unmatched.”
For Electronika, shows like “WKU Drag Show” are a way for drag queens like her to express themselves.
“Drag is a protected method of expression, and it should be protected with our First Amendment rights, and even though it is a state-funded university, it should not be a limiting factor to have students express their art,” Electronika said. “I think that it would be a shame to cut one of the programs that brings diversity and joy to the campus.”
In between performances, Penny Vain Knight spoke to the audience about the future of the show.
“There’s a good chance that this might be our last,” Penny Vain Knight said. “But it’s really important in times like these that we remember who we are because every single person in this room is here because they’re special.”
Audience members cheered and danced along as the drag queens performed to songs such as “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga and “Hot To Go” by Chappell Roan.
Katie Johnson, 29, recently moved to Bowling Green from Utah and is part of the SOKY Alliance, which provides support and social programming to the LQBTQ+ community in southern Kentucky.
Johnson said she feels like the show encourages people to be their authentic selves.
“This creates a space where people can have fun as themselves and not just sit back in the shadows,” Johnson said. “Drag is all about having fun.”
Willow Paschal,19, said that the event was her first drag show and she came to explore new experiences.
“There’s a lot of things about me that people probably don’t expect or that can’t be put in a box and these people bring that out, and I love it,” Paschal said.
See more photos of the 10th annual HRL Drag Show here.
