FSU Dancing Queens

{ LuAnn Thibodeau }

ON FRIDAY EVENING, May 4, 2024, the place to be was Fitchburg State University’s Athletics and Recreation Center for the school’s 17th Annual Benefit Drag Show. The show was presented by The Fitchburg State Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

         I have to say that when I was offered the opportunity to write this article, I was elated for a few reasons. As an alum of Fitchburg State, it provided me the chance to return to the place where I had formed many wonderful memories. As a straight ally, the event was a chance to support the LGBTQ+ community. But perhaps most importantly, I wanted to be there to honor the memory of my deceased older brother, who had the courage to come out as gay - to be the man he truly always knew he was - after being married for over 20 years and fathering two children.

         Before the show, I reached out to Shane Franzen, the Associate Director of Student Development at FSU, who has also been the school’s GSA advisor for 23 years. Shane graciously provided some of the history and background for the show.

         While he was working at SUNY in New York 25 years ago, their GSA held a drag show. “I was SO fascinated,” Shane explained. A few years later, when he came back to FSU, he pitched the idea to his supervisor and the GSA and thus began Fitchburg State’s Annual Benefit Drag Show.

         Initially, the school wanted the show to be called a Cabaret Drag Show (remember, times were a bit different back then) and so, the first show was called Fire and Ice Cabaret Drag Show. “We were flabbergasted when we had 250 people” at the first show.

         Since then, it has grown to be the largest drag show in all of New England, with this year’s show surpassing 1,000 attendees. Shane stated that the show has “always been a benefit event,” with Our Father’s House, Ginny’s Helping Hands, and AIDS Project of Worcester being benefactors. And GSA wanted it to be something even more; they wanted to create an LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship. So, at the 5th show, they started raising money for the scholarship, and this year, they were able to endow the scholarship (having raised the required $25k) and will be giving out scholarships next year.

        Shane said this of the GSA: “their commitment to change, education, and camaraderie is overwhelming”. Well, I have to say that I totally agree with him on that. From the moment I walked into the building, the students and staff were so welcoming and supportive of each other that I had tears in my eyes (especially when I thought of my big brother and what he went through and how he was ostracized by many people). “This show is a culmination of a year’s worth of hard work. With the negative rhetoric that the LGBTQ + community faces every day, this show is such an important way for our students and Fitchburg State community to combat such hate”.

         Shane also told me that they have always had the “philosophy of hiring professional Queens as a way to not offend or make fun of anyone”. He himself started dressing as Muther Divine about 5 years ago.

It was about 6 pm when I arrived at the show -- I wanted to get a feel for the people who were coming in as well as to chat with some of them. The ages of those in attendance ranged from college age to older adults. Some were there alone, others in pairs, some in groups. When I spoke to some of them, the comments were all positive. “I’m here to support my fellow students”; “we’re here because we believe that everyone has the right to be who they are”; “I’m here because I have supported the show and its theme and positivity since the beginning”.

         And although I didn’t ask, many of the folks told me their own gender identity and some told me their stories of their own struggles. But most amazing was the people who said that they are straight allies who will always be there- that proves that there is still much good in this world.

         The show, which also included two sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired, was hosted by Raquel Blake, who was introduced by Muther Divine. Raquel is a bombshell who opened the show singing and dancing to “Get This Party Started.” And she certainly did. By the time half of the first verse had played, the audience was applauding, cheering, and tapping their feet. Then as Raquel came off of the stage and went into the audience, they were roaring- and dancing up a storm with her.

         Equally as entertaining were four other Queens- all so spectacular and stunning. Anita Cocktail (who is known as the Queen of Provincetown), Lady Sabrina, Ivy League O’deria, and Abby Cummings performed and danced to many songs, including “She Works Hard For Her Money”, “I Want To Dance With Somebody”, “I Could Fall In Love With You”, and “What’s Going On.” To all of these numbers and many others, the audience was again applauding, cheering, and really getting into the spirit of the show. It was just wonderful to see folks of different ages, backgrounds, gender identity, and walks of life, all coming together to support each other. And that is a testament to the great work that the cast as well as the GSA have accomplished.

           There was also a Drag Race, where non-professional folks took part. These folks swirled and whirled, danced and delighted the crowd, in two separate parts- the Drag Queens and the Drag Kings.

           The Drag Queens had two contestants- Michael Kennedy and Kervins Lablanc. And the Drag Kings had three contestants – Emily Stark, Morgan McCarthy, and Mallory Judkins. All of them did a great job, dancing and getting the crowd behind them. By audience applause, the winners were crowned -- with Kervins becoming the Queen and Emily becoming the King. They both royally accepted their crowns, much to the delight of the audience.

         The show ended at about 10 pm. Everyone who I spoke to after thought it was a wonderful night, and I certainly concurred. The professional Queens graciously posed for pictures and selfies with anyone who wanted to get them.

         It was great to see so many folks- including some of the local elected officials -there to support the show. The takeaway from the evening, I think can best be summed up in the words to one of the songs that was performed- “If you’re ready, we can change the world”. Indeed, when people come together, positive change can and will occur.