Like the divas who strutted the stage in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Monday, the drag show itself is not all that it seems.

For the first time in its history, the seventh annual Diva Drag Show didn’t sell out, but only by a narrow margin; four seats out of 500 were empty.

This may seem odd in a historically conservative county and city. Our community is not known for its radical or new art, trends and methods.

So where does a drag show fit in?

The Diva Drag Show plays an important role in the university’s commitment to expanding diversity and understanding for students.

According to Eastern’s mission statement, “The university community is committed to diversity and inclusion and fosters opportunities for student-faculty scholarship and applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture.”

Kirstin Bowns, vice president and event organizer of EIU Pride, said students are interested because it’s something they’ve never seen before.

“Everyone should experience something like this,” Bowns said. “I love how much the campus tends to love Diva. The show is supported by a lot of people and that’s great.”

And the community benefits as well.

Before the first Diva Drag Show in 2003, neither Charleston or Coles County ever had a professional quality drag show, as long as you’re not counting the Charleston High School Mr. Mistletoe competition.

For $4 the drag show is open to anyone, and attracted more than just students.

Most people don’t know that the Diva Drag Show is entirely student-run and student-funded. Months of planning and scheduling by the drag show committee ensure the event goes off without a hitch. The drag show is the second-highest attended event on campus after graduation, according to Pride member Nick Canaday.

National Coming Out Day, Day of Silence, educational panels and group activities are funded entirely by proceeds from the drag show. The drag show also played an important role in community service. Pride donated half of its profits this year to the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services at Eastern and Project Lazarus, a 24-hour care facility for HIV and AIDS patients in Louisiana, according to an article that appeared in Tuesday’s edition of The Daily Eastern News.

SACIS, while located on campus, is a government-funded organization. Funding has been cut recently and it may not receive paychecks this month because federal stimulus funds have not been released yet. SACIS provides trained 24-hour counseling and support to victims of sexual assault and abuse on campus and in the community.

With an approximate total of $1,800 made at the drag show, $450 to each organization will help make ends meet.

In the past, there have been negative reactions and protests to the event, but the benefits outweigh any negatives. The Diva Drag Show makes this campus more diverse when the university itself may not be able to fund or doesn’t have the facilities to support the desired level of diversity for the university.

“It gives people the chance to experience something that wouldn’t have otherwise, it promotes acceptance and understanding in a safe and fun atmosphere, and it’s just an all around blast,” Bowns said. “What else are you going to do on a Monday night that is that fun?”

Congratulations Pride on another successfully fabulous drag show.

When news broke early Thursday that Eastern women’s basketball assistant coach Jackie Moore died at the age of 28, it visibly shook the athletic department.

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