<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=12oCqm_1H2UNPrK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=12oCqm_1H2UNPrK00" width="1024" height="683" ><figcaption>Taken by Matthew Newman/Contributing Photographer Performers faced off in the lip sync competition at Old Union Hall.</figcaption></figure>On Saturday, Nov. 7, Rainbow Pride Union hosted an exhilarating drag event, uniting a crowd of creative minds to compete in a ‘Monster High’-themed lip-syncing competition.Founded in 1971, RPU is Binghamton University’s longest-standing queer organization. The organization focuses on raising awareness for LGBTQ+ rights while providing a safe space and creative outlet for queer students and allies. Ella Yankelevich, a junior majoring in business administration, works as an event coordinator for RPU, where she plans large-scale functions each semester.“This event has been in the works since April of last semester, so we have taken a lot of time to prepare,” Yankelevich wrote in an email. “No club has ever brought a RuPaul’s drag queen to BU campus, so we wanted to be the first. My intention with these events is to create a space where queer people and anyone else that comes can have a fun experience and meet others.”“Battle of the Queens” took place in the University’s Old Union Hall, drawing an excited and supportive crowd, along with talented drag performers. With a Monster High theme, there were a plethora of decorations, ranging from pink and black streamers to fake cobwebs and spiders. Not only were the contestants sporting Monster High-themed makeup and costumes, but many audience members had intricate themed looks as well. Before the event even began, there was a sense of comfort as smiles and laughter filled the room.“College is such an important time for many queer students as they move away from the judgey classmates of high school, parents, or just people you have known your whole life,” wrote Freyja Harrel, a junior majoring in business administration and the president of RPU. “This makes college so exciting for queer students to finally be themselves, but this also means that there is a strong need for a queer community.”As Harrel began introducing the event, the audience was immediately captivated, supporting her speech with claps and cheers. She then introduced the host of the show, drag artist and entertainer Sativa.Following the introduction, performers began vying for first place with different routines. Each performer brought their own impressive attributes to the stage, including somersaults, back handsprings and explosive dance moves such as the iconic “death drop.”They competed in front of a panel of judges, including popular drag performer Kerri Colby, best known for competing in season 14 of hit reality show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Harrel described how she found Kerri Colby’s guest appearance at the event to be particularly important.“We get many celebrities on campus, Debby Ryan, Ross Lynch, John Green, Fetty Wap, but we have never had a Ru Paul’s drag queen on this campus, a show that means a lot to many queer students,” Harrel wrote. “The hope is that we can open the door for more Queer icons coming on campus to represent that portion of the community. And with Kerri Colby (the Ru-Paul queen) judging the younger students and local queens they are able to meet and make their dreams come true, while also learning how to improve on their craft!”Halfway through the night, an intermission was held with an alluring performance by Colby. Her segment allowed contestants to take a break while keeping the audience entertained with her glittery outfit and dramatic dance moves. As the intermission continued, a friendly competition took place, allowing the audience members to show off their looks and strut across the runway.Eventually, the competition whittled down to the final two contestants, Eternity Finite and Morticia Monroe. Despite their electrifying previous performances, they still had the dedication to pour every last drop of their energy into the final round. Both their lip-sync performances were radiant, and Eternity Finite ultimately won after a vote from the judges. The night ended with the same enthusiastic chatter and laughter it began with as people started to file out and head home.Events coordinator Gio D’Addona, a sophomore majoring in mathematical sciences, stressed the importance of RPU and the meaningful events they hold, just like this one.“Before joining Rainbow Pride Union, I struggled immensely with finding my place at Binghamton University,” D’Addona wrote in an email. “I felt extremely disconnected from campus life, my identity, and community as a whole. Being a part of RPU has been the most fulfilling part of my college experience. Through RPU, I’ve been able to exercise my passion for activism, learn about queer history, meet so many new friends, and I always had a safe haven when life just seemed like too much. That’s why it was so important for me to showcase every element of what RPU means to me at this event.”</div></body>

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On Saturday, Nov. 7, Rainbow Pride Union hosted an exhilarating drag event, uniting a crowd of creative minds to compete in a ‘Monster High’-themed lip-syncing competition. Founded in 1971, RPU is Binghamton University’s longest-standing queer organization. The organization focuses on raising awareness for LGBTQ+ rights while providing a...

RPU hosts ‘Monster High’ themed drag show

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On Saturday, Nov. 7, Rainbow Pride Union hosted an exhilarating drag event, uniting a crowd of creative minds to compete in a ‘Monster High’-themed lip-syn

RPU hosts ‘Monster High’ themed drag show

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