As you may know, March 31st was International Transgender Day of Visibility. The transgender community oftentimes lack representation and are excluded or forgotten about in society. This is why it is important to take time to celebrate the trans community, as well as bring awareness and acknowledgement of their large contributions to society in the face of discrimination. One way UW-Stout chose to honor this day was by inviting Transcendence Cabaret to come and perform a drag and burlesque show that Tuesday night.
The Human Rights Campaign defines drag as an artform that uses costumes and makeup, “to present exaggerated forms of gender expression to critique gender inequalities.” Drag also is just a way for people to express themselves in a safe environment. When combined with burlesque, a body-positive, self-empowering form of sexual expression, you get the beauty that is Transcendence Cabaret.
The miraculous night started from when I first entered the Great Hall in the MSC at 7:00 p.m., to when the show ended after 9:00 p.m. Set up by Blue Devil Productions, there was a catwalk stage surrounded by brightly colored lights and a variety of decorations, as well as a check-in table at the entrance with an array of stickers and mini pride flags.
To start, the founder and show producer of Transcendence Cabaret, Eun Bee Yes, gave an introduction and spoke about the importance of International Transgender Day of Visibility, as well as some of the core values of Transcendence Cabaret. Originating in Minneapolis, the monthly show primarily features Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), trans, nonbinary, and two-spirit artists. The show is of course meant to entertain, while also celebrating the queer community.
After Eun Bee Yes’s introduction, the drag show really began. The troupe consisted of five artists: Eun Bee Yes, Mak3va!, Trixi Del Mar, Oliver Yew, and guest appearance from Ashton tha Adorable Lover. The show rotated between those artists, playing hits from Queen, to Beyonce, to Lizzo, keeping an enthusiastic (and a bit risqué) energy the whole time. The dazzling outfits combined with the bright lights and never-ending cheering made the show seem magical.
If this all seems intense, not to worry! Drag shows are meant to be enjoyed by all, so there was a sensory-friendly alternative in Ballroom C, where viewers could still enjoy Transcendence Cabaret online, in a less overstimulating way.
If you missed the Transcendence Cabaret, but still would like to enjoy the wonderful experience, you can view some of their previous live streams and videos on their YouTube channel or support them through Instagram. This is also the fourth annual event of the Cabaret, so you can hope to see them next year in-person around the same time!
Although International Transgender Day of Visibility has passed, that does not mean that the transgender community should go back to being invisible. There are many ways to support the trans community, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole on campus. The simplest way is to educate yourself and show up either as a member of the community or an ally. The Qube in Price Commons is a great place to start because it’s easy to connect to the community, as well as to learn more about Stout’s LGBTQIA+ events. There is also the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) here at Stout, which is a safe space for learning, being involved, or just existing. The Qube is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and GSA meets every other Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. in Jarvis, room 116.
