Emma Kelsey – Staff Writer

Queers and Allies is a student-led organization here on the Gustavus campus, dedicated to fostering positive relationships within and among students of LGBTQIA+ identity and allies. The group seeks to raise awareness on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, be a resource for those questioning or not yet out, create an inclusive and enjoyable environment for everyone, and make changes where they are most needed.
Q&A puts on a number of events for members and students on campus to enjoy. Most recently a drag show was held last Friday, October 15th. The seventeenth year of the annual event consisted of seven performers. The organization brought in three professional performers: Victoria DeVille, Zon Legacy Phoenix, and alumni Ty Torres (‘14). These performers put on a dazzling display of talent, each with 3 performances to showcase. Equally intrigued, Gustavus students also participated in the event – Robin Hyde (‘25), Flannel Jack (‘24), and Sen (‘22) each put on a sensational spectacle themselves. The show also consisted of a secret professor performance, whose stage name was “Tomboy Cruise”. Their identity is to remain clandestine, but a source has given the tip that this person holds a PhD in physics. Otherwise, the mystery remains.
The show ran from 8pm to 10pm, and it was a reported success. There were a few technical difficulties but the show must go on. A decent audience turned out to witness the drag show magic; the dining hall was over half full. Zach Kacmarynski (‘22), President of Queers and Allies, held the performers in high praise, expressing how amazing the show was.
The judges consisted of Professor Richard Lietch, Chaplain Maggie Falenschek, Darsa Donelen, the advisor of the Q&A organization, and Area Coordinator Abbey Lane. The $50 gift card prize and tiara were awarded to the night’s winner, Sen, for their outstanding performance.
Q&A’s events don’t stop with the success of the drag show this past week. The organization has many other events in store for students. In October they have trick-or-treating for non-perishable food items which they will then donate to a food shelf. The last time they were able to do this, they collected just shy of 300 pounds of food to donate to those in need.
Q&A will also be putting on Thanksgiving and winter holiday meals, for students who aren’t able to be out at home or can’t return at all. These events are made to create a family setting students can feel comfortable and supported in, especially for those who don’t otherwise have that.
Later this school year, for the the first time ever, the Q&A organization is planning a “Gay Prom”, aimed for students who were unable to be out for their high school prom. While it is created for those who missed out on formal events because of their identity, all will be welcome.
Queers and Allies meets in the Center of Inclusive Excellence on Mondays from 7pm to 8pm. Meetings vary in structure: the group may discuss event planning, current events affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, or have game nights or movie nights. The meetings are not very formal, rather a space that fosters inclusivity and flexibility. All students are welcome at any time, and anyone, regardless of identity, is encouraged to attend. “We want to foster a sense of community between the LGBTQ+ community and the rest of the campus; when we work together is when we get things done,” Kacmarynski said.
The Q&A organization does even more than support students who need it. The group also pushes for that same support to be extended by the school and those in power.

They advocate for queer representation here on campus and work with members of administration to make sure needs of queer students are being met.

Furthermore, they send messages to state, local, and federal representatives to demand the queer population be accepted, and their rights ensured through legal protection and representation.
In order to support the queer students here on campus, fellow students are asked to listen, learn, and act.

Allies are asked to listen and learn about the queer community’s struggles rather than assuming, and act alongside them whenever possible in order to make change. “We will never be able to truly understand each other without communication, and without that understanding, we cannot effectively vanquish the discrimination and hatred on this planet,” Kacmarynski said.