Lady Bunny, Taboo and friends by Linda Simpson from The Drag Explosion series

St Thomas Aquinas College

The Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club at St Thomas Aquinas College in New York wanted to put on a drag show featuring students, with a “professional” queen hosting. The initial application and funding was approved, but later refused by school officials. University president Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick (is there a more Catholic name than that!?) told The Journal News:

“The question came to me – what would I think of a drag show on campus? I thought there could be unintended consequences from a drag show. I was nervous about it.”

She suggested instead they hold an educational event that discussed the history and culture of drag, and its relevance to LGBT communities. Students and staff have made it clear that the school is welcoming to LGBT people and they’ve held successful gender and sexuality related events before.

“I thought that that would then create a dignified environment for people to learn about drag and the history. And so, if there is a drag show in the future, there would be positive consequences.”

Professor Robert Trawick said:

“We have openly gay students, we have openly gay faculty. For the majority of students, on LGBT issues, it’s just not controversial to them. I hope that we can find a way to express our Catholic heritage that is respectful of its traditions and, at the same time, open to free inquiry. I believe that best represents the tradition of Thomas Aquinas.”

Well, I hope they eventually get to have their drag show and I’d love to audit that class on Drag herstory! Maybe Lady Bunny could bring Drag U to THEM? (Photo, Linda Simpson/ Drag Explosion; via Pink News)