University Star

Madelyn Monroe Kennedy, drag queen and performer, played Saturday night to a crowd at Bobcat Ball. Bobcat Ball was held at Gold Crown to help raise support for Lambda and the LGBTQ Community.

Rebecca Ambrose, Photo Editor

Gender divisions were all but erased Saturday at the biannual Bobcat Ball.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning community and its heterosexual supporters gathered at Gold Crown for a night of costumes, dancing and drag performers.

This semester’s theme was “Around the World,” which was reflected in the evening’s main event. Drag queen Chitah Daniels

Kennedy performed a French song from the 1950’s, and Gia de la Flor sang and danced to a Spanish number by deceased Latina pop star Selena. Kai Lee Michaels strutted the stage in fishnet stockings to ATC’s techno song “Around the World.” Madelyn Monroe Kennedy brought the audience back to America by playing guitar and singing Britney Spears’ “Oops I Did It Again.”

Daniels Kennedy, Texas State alumna, said the theme was especially important given the recent earthquake in Japan and other global tragedies.

“With so many terrible things happening, it’s the small, beautiful things that are going to save the world,” Daniels Kennedy said.
Patrons dressed in costumes from different cultures, including islanders with body paint and grass skirts, a Muslim burqua and one man dressed as a flag pole who declared himself “Polish.”

One new aspect of this semester’s Bobcat Ball was all proceeds went to programs that benefit LGBTQ students — the Bobcat Pride Scholarship and Out Youth Austin. The Bobcat Pride Scholarship is a $500 award to one member of the Texas State LGBTQ community, and the nonprofit organization, Out Youth Austin, provides support for 12 to 19 year olds who are questioning their sexuality.

“It definitely means a lot more to us this semester, because 100 percent of the funds are going to some really great causes for teens who are trying to find a place to call home,” said Stephen Gonzales, Lambda treasurer. “And for LGBTQ students on campus who need extra help with funding, this provides something for them.”

Gonzales said Lambda raised $1,400 by the end of the night.

Noah Diaz, Lambda member, said the fundraising aspect was his favorite part of Bobcat Ball. He said a birthday party booked on the same night as the event brought a mix of people to Gold Crown who may not have otherwise been aware of LGBTQ community in San Marcos.

Sarah Arend, exercise and sports science junior, experienced her first Bobcat Ball this semester when her dance group, Harambee, was invited to perform. Arend said though she was new to the LGBTQ scene, the crowd was welcoming.

“The environment is really friendly, fun and exciting,” Arend said. “It's a lot more laid back than I expected.”

Gonzales said the main purpose of Bobcat Ball is to unite LGBTQ students and raise awareness in the community in an entertaining way.

“It's exciting for the community here because we don’t have a big gay community in San Marcos,” Gonzles said. “It’s great for them to see that side of it, because that’s the fun side.”