Decked in their drag-queen best, local amateurs and professionals shook their stuff Monday night for a crowd of about 100 in honor of Pride Awareness Month.
UF's Pride Student Union hosted the show, dubbed Red, White & Drag, and featured four amateur drag acts and three professional performers from Fort Lauderdale - TP Lords, Vegas Dion and Kennedy.
During April, Pride Awareness Month, several events aim to educate UF students, staff and faculty about the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and allied community.
Monday's drag show began about half an hour later than scheduled so performers could cram in some extra primping.
"Unfortunately, we're running on gay time and diva time," announced Courtney Brown, vice president of the Pride Student Union, as the crowd burst into laughter.
One of the amateur performers, a UF junior who went by the name "Pussy," said he participated in the show just for laughs. Pussy wouldn't reveal his real name
"The best part? Feeling like a woman," he said.
Sara Chrovian, a psychology sophomore, said she's been to a few drag shows, and her favorite part is getting fashion tips from the performers.
"I hate to admit it, but some of these ladies dress better than I do," she said. "These queens are really well put-together, really lovely."
Luis Carlo, a criminology senior, said he enjoys the unity that drag shows inspire.
"It's like a community event," Carlo said. "It's just fun."
When asked how many drag shows he'd attended, Carlo replied, "Oh, God - hundreds."
Students weren't the only attendees showing support. Ursula Jaxyn, a regular drag performer at University Club downtown, said she came to help with makeup.
Jaxyn said she went to her first drag show when she was 16 and got into it herself a year later. She's now 20.
Megan Moriarty, a UF freshman, said there aren't enough drag shows in Gainesville. Moriarty said she's been to many other shows, adding that several of her friends are gay.She said she respected the performers' willingness to get on stage and express themselves.
"They're not afraid to be who they are," Moriarty said.
