UFV felt like anything but a drag that Friday night as The Pride Collective delivered on their promise of entertainment, hosting UFV’s A Drag!! With about 20 students in attendance, everyone mixed and mingled, eager to enjoy a night of queer visibility on campus with friends.
The newly minted Student Union Building (SUB) cafeteria housed a safe and sober space on Jan. 12. There were no flashy lights or elaborate productions; just a hard-working DJ behind the booth, and I could feel the heart that went into it all. For some students, like Micah, this was their first ever drag show, “because it’s all ages and you don’t have to be 19.” What a great introduction to live drag performances given by Colin Alda Monsters, Jester Minute, and Jackie Datona! Of course, monetary support is important for independent creators, and tipping was encouraged at the event. I was delighted to see fives, tens, and twenties colour the hands of many students.
Jackie Datona gave the crowd an energy that I can only muster dancing alone in my room (with the door locked). His second routine was pretty much slapstick comedy — I haven’t seen a performance so relatable and funny. I was looking forward to catching up with Datona after the show. He expressed his appreciation for the queer community at UFV, and told me where he gathered inspiration from: “My first outfit was really inspired by Denim from RuPaul’s Drag Race season four… and then my second look was inspired by the song “Rasputin” from Just Dance,” for which he wore a fake beard and an ushanka, referring to his funky outfit as “basically a cosplay.”
Our gracious host (and “death drop” icon) Colin Alda Monsters was familiar with this crowd through performing at last year’s inaugural Queer Prom, a reclamation of the traditional prom experience. That’s where Amber Kathrine Hawkes, a Media Arts student, was first introduced to these drag royals. “I’m excited to see what they have new and fresh,” she said. When I asked Hawkes about her experience being queer on campus, she was open about the support she feels from UFV. She said, “As a queer person I feel very safe… The therapy that they have here is very inclusive too. The faculty respecting pronouns — I love to see it.”
And for that we can offer thanks: To UFV for providing an accessible space for students to explore and connect with this community; and to The Pride Collective, for actively creating opportunities for students to be seen, like lobbying for a Pride Lounge on campus. If you’d like to get involved, send an email to prideufv@gmail.com and keep up to date by following them on their Instagram, @UFVPC. Fill out the form linked in their Instagram bio to volunteer for this year’s Queer Prom.
Kiara Okonkwo is a writer and creative. She received a diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School and is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media and Communication Studies. Kiara values self-expression and authenticity.