Bethel's LGBTQIA+ club, BeLonGTo, hosts week-long celebration of pride
The week was filled with different events, and culminated in a drag show to educate and entertain students.
Last week, Bethel’s BeLonGTo Club hosted a week-long celebration in honor of Pride Week. Beginning on Monday with Rainbow Bingo in the Caf, the club handed out fun prizes in different colored tiers (red, orange, yellow, etc.) for students to win.
The Green Prize was made in collaboration with EAC, Bethel’s Environmental Action Club, and presented by junior member Claira Janssen from Beatrice, Neb. Tuesday’s event was Tie-Dye while Wednesday consisted of snow cones on the green.
On Thursday, BeLonGTo set up a table outside of the caf entrance filled with pride stickers and colorfully assorted candy. Passerbyers were able to take stickers in order to show their support for those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, miniature pride flags featuring the different flags within the community were available for students to take, as not all students have access and the opportunity to attain one.
All these events led up to Bethel’s pride week grand finale, The Loud and Proud Drag Show. Returning hosts/performers Alexander Moonwalker Jackson and Iris Fay Moonwalker were the emcees for the night. Sharing the stage with the Moonwalkers were returning performers Juju Noir and Starla Nyte Carmichael alongside newcomers Hellfire Moonwalker, Elizabeth Rains, Tequella Rose, Kai-Lynn Moonwalker, and Karole Hazbeen.
In addition to the drag kings and queens performing two numbers, games were hosted for students to participate and win gift cards to local Newton businesses. At the end of the performances, the kings and queens shared their stories about how drag has impacted their lives. Bethel students then shared what these drag shows mean to them.
“What I love about doing these shows at Bethel is that whether or not someone agrees with the LGBTQ+ community they can show up, have a good time, and learn more about the good that we do, the joy in being queer, and the celebration that drag is,” shared sophomore Newton local Lucy Buller.
“Right now in Kansas, transgender persons and those who perform drag are in jeopardy of losing their rights,” voiced senior Isabela Diaz from Oklahoma City, Okla. “It means so much to me that Bethel can provide a safe space to advocate for these rights,” finished Diaz.
Senior Kendall Hiebert from Goessel has been the president of BeLonGTo for three years and has helped create a safe space for not only students but drag kings and queens as well.
“I feel very honored to have been able to make a change in so many students' lives on this campus. I have enjoyed my time leading this group on Bethel's campus,” commented Hiebert.
When asked about how he feels about next year’s group, Hiebert shared his thoughts. “I have no doubts that this group is meant to make great changes at Bethel College. The students I have mentored will be just fine after I leave Bethel this year."