Last year, approximately 500 university staff, students and community members gathered on campus to watch the University of Findlay’s annual drag queen show. But students running an event at a private Christian university fear that after more than a decade of performing, their event could be banned at the state level.
Ohio House Republicans have made progress on the issue Bill that would ban public drag queen or gender-specific performances outside “adult cabaret” venues. Although students are typically over 18 years of age, the Ohio Revised Code defines “adult cabaret” as a “nightclub, bar, juice bar, restaurant, bottle club or similar commercial establishment, whether or not alcoholic beverages are served,” in which nudity, exposure of “certain anatomical areas” and displays of sexual activity “regularly occur.” The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Angie King (R-Celina) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.), received testimony from supporters last October, but has not yet been scheduled for another hearing with opposing testimony.
Karsyn Gillen, one of the student co-organizers and vice president of United, the university’s LGBTQ+ club, worries about how the proposed bill could impact their university. If the Legislature passes the bill this session, this year could be the last time students play.
Gillen said if the worst happens, the club hopes to rename the event a horror costume show.
“We are not afraid of it because we will find a way, but [it’s] a little depressing,” Gillen said.
United co-organizer and president Cruz Richard said canceling the drag show could put their club at risk.
“It’s a huge event that we devote a significant portion of our funding to, so if they take away our drag show, not only are they taking away and erasing our community, they’re also erasing our club,” Richard said. “We have students perform every year and I think it’s really important that we give our queer community that opportunity because it really gives our members a chance to explore their own gender expression… where it’s safe and away from their parents.”
Both student organizers come from conservative, rural areas. Richard moved 800 miles from his hometown in rural Louisiana to attend UF, while Gillen moved from a conservative town in Ohio just an hour away.
“I was very, very happy when I found out about United and that I would be able to be part of this club because there was nothing like it in my hometown,” Gillen said. “It makes me really want to be on campus.”
For LGBTQ+ students on campus, the event may be the only secure and empowering space they can find time for, Gillen said. Club meetings usually take place at 9 p.m., but drag shows allow queer students to get involved in a way that suits their schedule.
“They are excited to host the event or like the many events we host [where] they can still connect with the queer community even if they can’t attend our regular meetings,” Gillen said.
Richard said the annual drag show was born out of an event called Night of Divas in 2013. Over the years it has expanded and has a regular presence in the community. It is funded primarily by the university’s Student Government Association, to which the university provides funds, and student leaders then distribute those dollars to various clubs.
Throughout the club’s existence, UF president Katherine Fell, who is retiring at the end of this school year, has supported United and sought to understand the LGBTQ+ community.
(*10*) Richard said. “It’s very nice to have someone who accepts, wants to learn and [to] give us those funds when they can go somewhere else, like pastoral work or something like that.”
He said the broader Findlay community has also shown support for the drag show.
“One of my instructors came to me this morning and said ours [department head] he was looking forward to the drag queen performance and would love to perform,” Richard recalls. “I even saw a lot [church] members enjoy and have fun [last year]”
A University of Findlay spokesperson did not respond to questions from The Buckeye Flame about the future of student drag shows and whether trustees will seek a president who supports LGBTQ+ students.
“Nightmare Majestic on Main Street” will begin at 7 p.m., Friday, March 13, at the Alumni Memorial Association, 164 Frazer St. in Findlay. Tickets are $5 for non-students, $1 for non-UF students and are free for current UF students. The organizer provides catering and the possibility of purchasing T-shirts. This year, GSA will donate half of the proceeds to the foundation Equal rights in Ohio.
START ACTION
- For more information on the Majestic Nightmare on Main Street, visit United’s Facebook page Here.
- To learn more about LGBTQ+ bills in Ohio, read The Buckeye Flame’s guide to 2025-2026 legislation here.
- If you are a newborn LGBTQ+ person in crisis, please contact Trevor’s project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are a transgender adult in need of immediate support, please contact National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
