Letters to the editor

Drag Show and the LGBTQ community

The Drag Show was this past Saturday, and as a member of Santa Clara's LGBTQ community, I was left with mixed emotions about the message it sends. For all those on campus who are afraid to be open and come out, it shows there are people on campus who are supportive and accepting.

Still, the problem lies not in the message it sends to those who are in or support the LGBTQ community, but rather those who are ignorant of it.

I have spoken with many students at Santa Clara, including close friends of mine, who assume the Drag Show is nothing more than all the gay men on campus dressing as women and performing to pop music.

Yes, there are gay male students who choose to perform in the Drag Show, but they aren't representative of the LGBTQ community as a whole.

The truth is that performers in the drag show include men and women of all sexual orientations, with the majority of performers being heterosexual. It's not about gay men wanting to be women, but rather people expressing their sexuality and challenging society's gender roles and norms. More than just that, the show takes the opportunity to educate the audience on LGBTQ issues.

Speaking from personal experience, I can assure you that not all gay men want to dress in drag.

The Drag Show is a great opportunity for gay and straight members of the Santa Clara community to express themselves and challenge societal norms, but we must remember that there is more to being queer than dressing in drag.

Paul Whaley

Accounting '09

Inauguration Coverage

I want to congratulate your writers and photographers for doing such a great job of reporting Fr. Engh's inauguration.

I think the words and photos really captured the spirit of the two-day celebration and was particularly delighted to see how many students turned out for the ceremony. Keep up the good work.

Jim Purcell

Vice President, University Relations

Senior Ball and the recession

In response to George Durando's letter in last week's issue, I think the real issue is being skirted. The low attendance at Senior Ball is not an issue of school spirit, but a lack of disposable income for the majority of our class. I would love to have the "opportunity to have one night to look sharp and enjoy a memorable night" with my friends, but my cost-benefit analysis does not look pretty, plus I have loans to pay.

I commend the effort that has been done to have a Senior Ball this year. Of course I want to have fun and celebrate my last few weeks of school with my peers, but there are serious financial obstacles that prohibit me from doing so. The planning of this year's Senior Ball should have taken the current economic situation the majority of our community is in into larger consideration.

Being asked to "rise above it" so that the future of Senior Ball is not in jeopardy does not move me to purchase a ticket that will cause more stress than good memories in the long run.

I would like to end by saying the students who have chosen to not go to the Senior Ball are not "beggars who can't be choosers," as Durando stated.

Francesca McKenzie

Environmental Studies and Theater Arts '09