WARNING: VULGAR LANGUAGE
Drag queens served looks and struck poses at SAIT’s drag bingo event, a highlight of Pride Week on campus.
“Calgary Pride celebrates it in early September, but that kind of conflicts with orientation,” said Lukas Valentine, co-chair of the Pride at SAIT committee. “So, we do it in October, which also works with LGBTQ+ history month.”
SAIT officially kicked off pride week on Monday, Oct 7. with a pride flag-raising ceremony. The school hosted events throughout the week, culminating with drag bingo at Heritage Hall on Oct. 11.
Pride at SAIT invited students to attend the drag event and enjoy complementary popcorn and candy. The students competed in games of bingo for pride-themed prizes.
The event is designed to connect people, foster friendships and raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Just do it,” AUArts Jackson Dennis said, encouraging skeptics to take a chance and attend a drag event — even if it’s outside their comfort zone. “Even if you only go the one time and it’s not your cup of tea.”
Between each round of bingo, Jackal Morose and Spice Velour Vendetta took the stage in elaborate costumes. The two stars of the show executed coordinated dance routines and lip-synched to popular songs.
“Having a space to come into, like at a university, or at any school… it helps bring a sense of community where sometimes there isn’t really a feel of that,” Morose said.
Connecting with femininity played a meaningful role in Morose’s journey into drag.
“Drag has been very therapeutic in the sense where I am able to express a part of me that I love,” they said. “I’m now finding power in it.”
Morose aims to blend elements of horror and glam together to create their drag persona.
“You know, you take a little bit of creepy, you take a little bit of cunty, and you mash it up,” they said. “And it’s just like, I’m a sexy little creature that does my thing.”
