Annual Night of the Living Drag show provides safe place for expression

Count Lovesuck performs during Night of the Living Drag in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Union on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Izzy Lewis.

In two action-packed acts, the Night of the Living Drag show dazzled an audience on Oct. 25 in the Centennial Room of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Student Union. Some attendees got in the holiday spirit and dressed up in costumes for an evening of performances. 

The annual fall drag show has given the UNL's LGBTQIA+ community an opportunity to perform since the inaugural show in 2011. The event gives students a platform to express themselves while also raising money for various causes. 

Drag is performance art that exaggerates features of femininity or masculinity in a form of gender expression. The art has historical roots in LGBTQIA+ scenes and has become more prevalent in popular culture over the years. 

“It's very important in our current time period to come out and really show that we are supporting choice and freedom of expression,” Lily Mack, a sophomore English major and an attendee of the event, said. “It’s love and support, but it's also protest.” 

The event is co-hosted by the UNL’s Gender and Sexuality Center. The center supplies programming, education, resources and services to the students to help with academic success, the development of identities and engagement with the community.   

Spectrum UNL, an on-campus RSO, also co-hosts the event. The club holds social hours and meetings geared toward LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. They also provide educational resources and support to their members. 

“I identify as a queer adult,” Jo Schleich, an undeclared freshman and an attendee of the event, said. “It's really important to show up for my community as well as, (for) people who identify differently than me.” 

While the event was free to the public, attendees were encouraged to bring a donation for Husker Pantry. These donations were either nonperishable food items or personal hygiene products. Some requested items include hair care products, hand soap, chips, flour and sugar.

During the show, tipping of the performers was also welcomed. All tips are going toward the Gender and Sexuality’s student support fund. The fund provides emergency financial aid to LGBTQIA+ students and allies in need of assistance.   

“Make sure you tip real good, we want to support our students who are in need,” Arcadia, the host for the evening, said.

The show featured 20 drag artists lip syncing and dancing to songs. Some performances were songs from popular singers, such as Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. Others were more on-theme with Halloween-inspired acts, featuring songs from the musicals “Beetlejuice” and “Mean Girls.” 

“It's really important on campus to come out and support,” Schleich said. “(To) make sure the performers feel supported, safe and welcome, just as we feel safe and welcome to come (watch).” 

The Gender and Sexuality Center often hosts other events throughout the school year, such as Dish It Up and Lavender Closet pop-ups. There will be another opportunity to watch a drag show at the Union in the spring. 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.