With a drag queer show, ISS ends Pride Month ‘with a bang’

For a festive end to Pride Month, the International Institute of Social Sciences organised a drag queer show on Friday. “The show was fantastic! Everyone loved it and went absolutely over the top”, says alumnus Josh Tendai, the presenter of the show.

The show was a brainchild of Sandy Kamerling of the Butterfly Bar, which can be found on the first floor of the ISS building. “Sandy initiated the show and worked with the communications department to get everything organised”, Josh explains. “We wanted to end the Pride Month with a bang.”

Josh describes the show as: our very one way of celebrating pride. “Normally, this kind of show would be called a drag queen show. We wanted to break away from the original concept, so we changed queen, which refers to feminine characteristics, to queer. The show was for everyone.”

Karaoke is an absolute must

Karaoke is a bit of a tradition at ISS. “We never have a party without karaoke”, Josh explains. That meant the show featured karaoke as well. The party opened with a lip-sync battle and concluded with the familiar round of karaoke.

Glam corner

Showing up in drag or a costume was not mandatory. “We understood that this might be a bridge too far for some students,” Josh says. “So we told them they could wear whatever was comfortable for them.” For those who wanted to add some make-up, the organiser had prepared a glam corner. “Eyeshadow, glitter, stickers, we had it all!”

Josh emphasises that the show was not just about external appearances but also about inner freedom. “We wanted students to be free to be themselves and to express themselves. Ultimately, the aim was to foster self-acceptance and self-confidence, since to be queer is to be confident”, they say with a wink.

First contact

Josh looks back on an evening filled with joy. “Everyone loved the show and went completely over the top. Some students had never been to a queer show before, but they were very open and curious about queer world.” They add: “We need more queer parties, not just during Pride Month, but throughout the year!”