The Latest

All hail the queens

By Tiara Yazzie and Alx Lee Indy Staff Writers

Author: Elder, Dorothy/Thursday, December 9, 2021/Categories: Home, Campus, Culture, Events

Rate this article:

No rating

Kassandra Carrasco, Assistant Director of El Centro and The G, felt like there was a lack of LGBTQ representation on campus, she said.

After attending Drag Trivia at the Starlight Lounge in downtown Durango,Carrasco took interest in the connection of Puerto Rican descendancy and drag queen identity of the host, Aria PettyOne. Carrasco noticed the intersectionalities of identities and wanted to bring that to campus.

Click through the photo essay below to learn more about the FLC drag scene.

Aria Pettyone gets ready for her performance.

Only moving to Durango five years ago, the drag scene was not in the limelight but definitely existed, Aria PettyOne, Alien Queen of Durango said. Four Corners Alliance for Diversity was hosting quarterly events like Winter Pride and Drag Durango, she said. “I didn't expect there to be that many people who are interested in drag here in a small town like Durango, so that was really exciting for me to see,” she said.

The table at the event.

Drag Bingo is a monthly event at FLC that includes Planned Parenthood offering free HIV testing for students as well as sexual health answers and information. Using a grant through the state of Colorado, Planned Parenthood can provide this service throughout the community, Brian Garcia, HIV Program Specialist at Planned Parenthood said. The goal is to provide public health resources in an easy-to-understand way, Bailey Carlson,HIV Program Specialist said. “Instead of sitting in a class or seminar, or something like that, we do things that are fun,” he said.

Vivica Validation performs at the event on campus.

Since childhood, drag was always a way of life and the pandemic brought time to focus and shape a drag persona, Vivica Validation, Durango Drag Queen, said. Out of drag, life is getting through college at Fort Lewis as a theatre major, she said. “I’m the only current collegiate diva,” she said.

Pettyone performs off campus.

Drag events are more in-town rather than on campus, Validation said. Events that feature drag queens at FLC opens a community for students that are unable to attend such events at bars downtown due to cover charges and being underage, Carrasco said.

FLC students cheer on Pettyone.

Validation said there’s a new confidence while performing drag as well as an attitude that you are in a position to achieve whatever you want.Drag may not be for everyone but it’s an art, and art is subjective, PettyOne said. Seeing the joy that drag brings to the audience is what makes the hard work worth it, she said.

Accessories are laid out before the performance.

Drag is a journey from the name and persona a queen takes on to the massive wardrobe, PettyOne said. “I have about 30 or 40 wigs in the house just chilling,” she said. Unlike bigger cities, Durango does not hold an expectation to spend excessive amounts of money on outfits, she said.

Validation on a banner in the theater hall on campus.

Musical Theatre Scenes, hosted by the Fort Lewis College Theater Department in 2020 was an opportunity to highlight inclusion and diversity within theatre, Validation said. The plan was to appear in drag, but it was a decision and moment that helped get a drag career in motion, she said. Photos were taken at the event and Vivica Validation can now be seen on the banner posted at the theater hall.

Pettyone performs.

The drag events offered thus far have been one of the most attended within the Diversity Collaborative, Carrasco said. El Centro’s goal is to feature more queens of color from around the four corners, Carrasco said. Right now, El Centro encourages other RSOs to reach out for a collaboration involving drag queens, Carrasco said. PettyOne sees the future of drag at campus involving drag courses that she herself could lead, she said. “More drag queens on campus! A drag queen for everyone!” Validation said.

Number of views (10959)/Comments (0)

Please login or register to post comments.

All News

From Red Hearts to Red Flags

By: Meritt Drake

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Valentine’s day can be difficult to navigate for both those who are single and people in relationships. Dating can seem risky, and there are many aspects that can deter people from getting into relationships. These can range from compatibility issues to larger issues. “Talking about the risks of dating makes it sound like if you go to dinner with someone you might get raped, so...

By: Ryan Simonovich

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

In the summer before her freshman year at Fort Lewis College, Sarah Moore participated in a month long Outward Bound trip in Northern Colorado.

In the summer before her freshman year at Fort Lewis College, Sarah Moore participated in a month long Outward Bound trip in Northern Colorado. “I experienced a lot of really, really hard days where I didn’t know if I would get through it,” Moore said of the trip. “I didn’t know if I could even get to base camp.” Despite the physical challenge, the...

By: Tiarney Andreas

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

During an informational panel on Wednesday, February 13, a group of Fort Lewis College professors tackled issues such as migrants seeking asylum, as well as discussed the organizations which are making a difference in what seems like a hopeless situation for some. FLC professors Benjamin Waddell, Carolina Alonso, Janine Fitzgerald, Ruth Alminas, and Paul DeBell, accompanied by...

By: Nate DeCremer

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Spring break is many a college students’ favorite part of the semester. Each year brings about new and exciting opportunities for students to explore. Some choose to travel far and some choose to stay close. For those who are staying around Durango for their spring break, here are 15 different places within 200 miles of Durango that are sure to add fun and adventure to an already amazing time of year.

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is an amazing city to visit and offers a wide variety of activities. For those who wish to ski, it is home to the Ski Santa Fe ski resort. For those who want to see the sights, Santa Fe offers lots of amazing traditional Spanish architecture throughout the city. Its home to the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Assisi as well as the world famous art exhibit,...

Fort Lewis College Community Responds to Graffiti Incident

By: Benjamin Mandile

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Students living in the five dormitories in the quad woke up Friday morning to spray-painted obscenities on all of the residence halls and the Miller Student Services building.

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. Please check theindyonline.com for more coverage. Students living in the five dormitories in the quad woke up Friday morning to spray-painted obscenities on all of the residence halls and the Miller Student Services building. The red graffiti was also found on a number of students’ personal vehicles parked near the dorms, on the...

First Previous 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Next Last

TheIndy