RG9-9-00-3_44_19_1994_p1.pdf

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Part of LGBA celebrates

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STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 1994 VOLUME 44 NUMBER 19

LGBA celebrates
KAM VIRK
Spectrum Staff Writer
UB's Lesbian Gay Bisexual
Alliance hailed National Coming
Out Day as a great success for the
entire community.
After much anticipation, the Uni­
versity at Buffalo was, for the sec­
ond year, the only state-funded col­
lege or university in the country to
have a female-impersonator per­
form on-campus.
"Increased visibility will, we
hope, strengthen our cause and
combat misguided homophobia
and ignorance," said Chevon
Davis, the professional drag queen
LGBA hosted.
Earlier attempts to intimidate the
gay community by putting up anti­
gay fliers around campus on Fri­
day, and tearing down the National
Coming Out day fliers , were
unsuccessful deterrents. Despite
these threatening actions, there
was a minimal show of anti-gay
sentiment during the performances
by Davis.
Pink and black balloons (which
symbolize the pink and black tri­
angles lesbians and gays were
forced to wear in Nazi concentra­
tion camps during WWII) deco­
rated the stage as Davis danced
on from 11 am. to 2 p.m.
The LGBA's National Coming
Out celebration also included a
display of the rainbow flag, com­
posed of colored stripes to symbol­
ize diversity.

"I have seen beller entertain­
ment and I've seen worse enter­
tainment. I think that someU1ing
like this will raise the issues for
everyone in a very non-threatening manner. I think that's very
healthy," Dean of Students Den­
nis Black said.
Shawn Carey, a law student,
echoed the sentiment of the majority
of students in attendance. "It's great
that they can
express themselves this
way, he said.
Craig Brown, another law stu­
dent added, "I would equate gay
rights with religious freedom of
expression, both [are] protected by
the First Amendment"
Many students were surprised
by the performance. Others were
shocked by the open display of
homosexual pride.
"By raising up her dress like
that, I think she's crossing the limit
of good taste," Tim Higgins and
Jody Yaro said
"I think it's disgusting. Men dressing like women and doing that with
each
other," said a UB student named
Dray in reference to some dancing
between Davis and Limrod, a LGBA
member.
Limrod thoroughly enjoyed the
experience. "It was fun doing that
stuff. Being from New York City
I'm used to it I'm glad to see stu­
dents taking pride in their identity.
Hiding your true self-your identi­
ty-is to me worse than being in
prison."
Turnout for the event was better
than previous years. "This event is

GO SANG, MISS THANG! Chevon Davis raises her arms in celebration of National Coming Out Day, yesterday.
important because by increasing
our visibility, we can show people
the whole spectrum of our groupthose who look and act like straight
people to those who are more visi­
ble like the drag queens," said Vic
Fusilero, president of the Graduate
Gay and Lesbian Alliance.
The enthusiastic crowd around
the stage was composed mostly of
LGBA members. Cheering on
Davis, shouting back at a group of
hecklers and eventually crowding
on stage during the final moments
of the performance-LGBA was out
in force to increase their visibility.
The other crowd of students
that encircled the lobby, while

much less vocal in their support
were, nonetheless, affected by
the display . Reactions ranged
from curious grins to shock and
bursts of laughter.

"If I can make one person happy
by putting on this show or open
one person's eyes to the gay com­
munity, then it will all be worthwhile," concluded Davis.