Siena’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) has introduced a new campus tradition that plays off of the annual Mr. Siena competition.
To honor the history of the gay rights movement, and to support the College’s LGBTQ+ community, Siena’s first-ever “Miss Siena” drag show was held virtually on May 6.
Organized by Nicole Leibow ’21, Lydia Russom ’21 and Alex Wiegand ’21, the show shared the history of drag in America and how it impacted our culture, and featured decade-themed performances by three queens from the Troy-based Trojan Womyn Productions. The event was capped off with a Miss Siena drag contest with six student contestants.
“The goal of the event was to celebrate diversity, inclusion and solidarity,” said Russom.
Wiegand explained that giving credit where credit is due was also important.
“So much of the history of the gay rights movement has been put on the backs of drag performers,” he said. “They deserve attention, and to be recognized for what they have contributed.” Russom added that the costuming, make-up and performance are an art form.
They explained that drag is not a small part of LGBTQ+ culture – it has always had a huge presence in the community. Many of us are familiar with the term “drag queen,” but there are also “drag kings” and the gender-neutral term Russom prefers: “drag majesty.”
“Dressing in drag is an exaggerated, blown-up version of who I want to be every day,” she said. “I’m able to break free and be exactly who I want to be.”
Leibow and Russom emceed the online performance, which interspersed the history of drag with songs and dance by the guest queens. From the “three article rule” of the early 20th century, which stipulated that clubgoers had to wear at least three articles of clothing that matched their birth gender, to the pop phenomenon and household name RuPaul, they explored how drag was once a taboo, underground practice but gradually became part of mainstream culture.
First place in the Miss Siena drag contest went to “Steven Slinger” (Jessica Dupont ’22), who won a pair of AirPods Pro 5; second place to “Justine Time” (Leibow), who won a $100 gift card to Ulta; and third place to “Bailey” (Cassie O’Connor ’21), who won a $50 gift card to the Siena bookstore.
“Drag culture is so large and majestic, and I'm finally glad that we are able to have it on campus,” said Dupont. “During the process of creating a new identity, character traits, then actually seeing yourself as that person I was able to become more confident in my own identity. While performing was fun and all of my friends and family love my performance video, planning it and exploring new parts of myself was even more exciting. Drag can be intimidating, until you actually do it yourself.”
Dupont said that dressed as Slinger, she looks exactly like her father when he was younger.
Leibow said given that it was Siena’s first-ever drag show and had to be held virtually, everything was a success.
“I was really happy to be a part of it. I want it to show that Siena is an open and welcoming community for all, and it that shows respect for people from all parts of society. I’m so proud of everyone’s support in making this happen.”
Never attended a drag show and looking forward to next year’s Miss Siena? Give it a try – Wiegand himself was a newbie until recently.
“I didn’t understand drag and thought it was a bunch of men dressing up and being eccentric,” he said. “But it’s very fun, and very interactive.”
Miss Siena was sponsored by the GSA, Black Student Union, and Latinx Student Association.
