Third annual show celebrates lives of transgendered
Aaron Lesniak got up-close and personal with a drag queen Friday night.
Lesniak, a Farmington Hills sophomore, attended a drag show for the first time in his life and ended up interacting with the show’s outgoing host, Ashley resident “Saben” – twice.
“It was fun and I wasn’t offended at all,” he said.
The Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) hosted the third semi-annual Drag Show Extravaganza in honor of National Pride Week in Real Food on Campus residential restaurant.
Phil Reese, Lincoln Park senior and GSA vice president, said he hoped the show would act as an educational experience for the audience.
“Learning about people who are different from them and gaining respect for our lifestyles is a goal,” he said.
Rainbow colored flags complimented the stage that drag kings and queens dominated, while the master of ceremonies, “Saben,” entertained the audience.
“Saben” hosted the show from behind the curtains, until he revealed himself for his performance.
He donned a bald head with streamers for a pony-tail, a pink swim suit and he was covered in stars and eyebrows.
“This is my serious face,” he said.
Pinckney sophomore Ashley Wild said the show couldn’t have been pulled off without the group’s straight allies.
Wild, co-chairwoman of GSA’s political committee, said their straight members go out of their way to help the gay community.
“It’s so selfless of them,” she said.
Audience members passed a black, patent leather stiletto boot around for donations to GSA.
Other performances included Justin Timberlake’s “Senorita” and Kid Rock’s “Cowboy” performed by the “X-rated Cowboy.”
Performers also gave lap dances frequently throughout the event.
Show benefits Michigan transgendered
Nearly 80 people attended the TransGender Michigan benefit show at the Wesley Foundation, 1400 S. Washington St.
TransGender Michigan is an education, support and advocacy group for transgender individuals and their significant others, friends, families and allies.
Midland freshman Vanessa Marie Spitzer and Midland senior Erik Nilsson coordinated the event as a part of Pride Week.
Nilsson said Spitzer took on much of the booking and promotion of the show herself.
“This is my show, I guess,” Spitzer said. “When I was first coming out, TransGender Michigan was the Web site I came across that just made me feel OK, and that there’s other people like me. I wanted to help them out because they helped me out so much.”
Local labels Deadwait Records and Girl on Girl Records sponsored the event with the Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs.
Spitzer performed her folk/punk/country rock with five bands.
“Most of the bands playing tonight are people I admire,” she said. “All of them are just nice people who I knew.”
Second Floor Mondays, Glynis, Chinese Happy, Kidnap Ready and Exceptional Wonder Stuff brought their eclectic mix of music to help support the concert’s cause.
Spring Lake junior Shauna Alexander plays bass in Second Floor Mondays and said the band was more than happy to perform at the benefit.
“A lot of the philosophies behind our songs are congruent with what’s going on here,” she said. “It’s on campus and promotes unity and local music.”
