Queer Alliance celebrates its wide range of identities

One by one, she removed the long, colorful ribbons from her arms and tied them in a blindfold as her hips moved to the beat of the music.

Judy Tran’s belly dancing was only one of the many performances showcased Tuesday night as part of the Queer Cultures Night, presented by the Queer Alliance.

The ribbons were meant to represent the colors of the rainbow, and of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, as well as every community.

The event featured a variety of student performances, including spoken word, a skit from the movie “Angels in America,” musical performances and a drag performance by Eduardo Saldivar.

Saldivar’s performance was a crowd-pleaser. He strutted in front of the crowd in heels and flaunted his long, blue, curled nails to a song by the Latino reggaeton singer Ivy Queen.

The night, though it featured a performance by Saldivar in drag, was meant to help rid some of the stereotypes that the LGBT community often faces.

“It’s important for straight people to see what queer culture is like. It’s not just rhinestones and Madonna,” said Emilio Aldrich, the head coordinator for Queer Cultures Night.

Students, both straight and queer, came together in De Neve Auditorium to support friends and to get a sampling of the LGBT community on campus.

Some students said the culture show was important because it highlighted the queer community, which encompasses various other cultures.

“Within (the LGBT) culture you bring in different races. … It’s the umbrella for everything else,” said Leanna Stuart, a second-year physiological science student.

While the night was full of fun performances, the show still retained an educational aspect.

By highlighting the queer community through an artistic medium, the organizers said they hoped students would be able to see the LGBT community through a different lens ““ one that breaks free of the stereotypes, said Edgar Alvarez, a third-year geography and environmental studies student and director of internal affairs for the Queer Alliance.

Aldrich, who also performed a scene from the movie “Angels in America,” said he had decided to become more involved after his performance the previous year. He added that he hoped the variety of performance styles allowed for a good balance between drama and more lighthearted comedy.

As the show came to an end, Megan Rodman from Dance/Walk UCLA began dancing and was soon joined by other members in the audience.

Aldrich said the night provided a nice break from other nights, when students might otherwise be protesting or passing out fliers on Bruin Walk.

“We can just let our hair down and enjoy ourselves,” Aldrich said. “It’s great to do something that’s pure and simple fun.”

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