In honor of National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, Diversity Council hosted Sam Houston’s first drag show competition. The participants consisted Sam Houston students. The event offered the Bearkat community a chance to embrace and celebrate drag culture and the LGBTQ+ community.

Up until last night, Pride at Sam Houston centered around education rather than celebration. Co-executive Director for the Diversity Council Makiya Owens sought to bring that opportunity to the student body through the drag show to express the vibrance of drag culture and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I hope everyone gains a little more perspective and appreciation of the LGBT community,” Owens stated.

Crowds overwhelmed the Orange Ballroom, with lines wrapping around the Lowman Student Center forcing hundreds of students to be turned away at the door as the ballroom had reached its capacity.

The show was hosted by Angelina DM Trailz, one of Houston’s hottest drag queens. Her infectious and bubbly energy spilled onto the audience in her opening performance, continuing throughout the night.

The show consisted of many parts where the queens who participated could show off their specialized skills in the talent portion as well as their style in the formal wear section of the show.

In the end, the judges, who consisted of Sam Houston Student Body President LaYauna Bonds and Houston-based drag queen Sinema, decided that the drag queen deserving of the title of SHSU Drag Superstar, and the winner of the universities first drag show, was none other than Estella Blow.

“I think self-expression in the LGBT community is very important,” Blow said. “Everyone wants to fit in and be themselves as an individual, so expressing yourself within the community is a way to be part of a fun group and show who you are.”

The presence of the drag show on campus served not only to create an environment to give students a glimpse into the world of drag but to also introduce a safe space for LGBTQ+ members and allies alike to express who they are.