On April 22, NMSU’s LGBT+ Programs hosted its spring semester Pride Season Drag Show. Drag artists Mae Dove Stardust and Ryan Rox helped host the event which featured performances by NMSU students, alumni, and local artists. Singing Out Loud Las Cruces, a local non-profit choir made of LGBTQ+ and ally singers, also gave a special performance.
Several drag artists choreographed and performed their own numbers, and for the grand finale, many of the entertainers presented a group number to “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from the 2007 rendition of “Hairspray.”
Drag artist Khaotica gave an exciting performance as a Hot Pocket dancing to Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go” at the request of her sibling.
“So, I just did it because I love a style of camp and glamour at the same time, because I don’t know if everyone always does that,” Khaotica said. “So, when you have beauty and a sense of humor and combine that into something amazing, it’s like, ‘Oh, gorgeous.’”
Khaotica discovered her love of performing about three years ago and has been in the last six drag shows put on by LGBT+ Programs. She said she loves to be in front of an audience and showcase her abstract version of drag.
“I mean, the thing is we all do drag, you know, in our own way,” Khaotica said. “But when I get to see this crowd, this is probably one of the few times where I actually get to interact with students around my age, and they just, I feel like it’s a moment we all come together, and they just perform their butts off, and to see everyone cheer the way they do and show such enthusiasm, that’s why I come back here.”
Khaotica said she wants to pave the way for better drag, and that inspired her to begin creating a drag family. Her drag daughter, Triple X, is an NMSU alumni and has also been in six shows. Triple X expressed they are drawn to drag because of its way of connecting people and this year, found inspiration from a love of giving dramatic performances.
“I love to do it because it’s definitely one of the main things that brings the whole community together, especially with this current climate, and it’s always been something fun for me to do,” Triple X said.
Part of why Khaotica loves to do drag is because of the moment of comfort and fun it provides audiences.
“Making people feel involved is the most important part about drag,” Khaotica said. “Because this isn’t just about me, it’s about all of y’all, because we’re living in some really s**t times, aren’t we? But that’s why drag is more important now, to give back to y’all so you can feel for a moment a level of ecstasy. A level of, like, I want to say like happiness to a certain extent, and relief from what the outside world gives you. And then we’ll just jump into our world for a moment.”
Natalie Thomas, the Student Program Coordinator for Black Programs said she loves to attend the Pride Season Drag Show to see queer people come together and represent on stage.
“I love the student performers along with the more seasoned ones, because even though most of the time it’s their first performance, you’re kind of like, ‘Okay, it’s their practice time,’” Thomas said. “You don’t know what they’re going to pick up, the vibe they’re going to pick up, and they may continue doing it. And then other people see them and it’s a big queer world. Let’s just get, like, get used to it, you know?”
As U.S. President Trump continues to promise the elimination of federal DEI programs, Thomas found the drag show to be proof of how beneficial DEI programs can be for students, faculty, and community members.
“I just want to make sure that people know how important we still find the DEI department and everything that is involved with it,” Thomas said. “It takes a lot of work to come in and still have an excitement because of news. You know there’s always something breaking that is absolutely ridiculous and it crushes your spirit, but the DEI department, all the ones within that are always open and welcome to everybody.”
