Dressed in drag, contestants take stage in annual competition
{module Ms. Gaymecock}
For one night at PT’s 1109 nightclub, nine participants competing for the titles of Mr. and Ms. Gaymecock released their inhibitions and strove to express their identity in three pageant acts.
Overhead, a figure danced seductively in a skintight black one-piece, and as the pageant began, cheers erupted when the beat hit.
The buzzing bar was packed with students and community members, all there to support USC’s Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Straight Alliance.
McKenzie Scott, a second-year international studies student, was dressed in bright red suspenders and a matching bow tie and looked like Charlie Chaplin. Thursday night Scott was Blaine Anderson instead.
“I thought it would be fun and something to write off my bucket list,” Scott said. “And also, how often do you get to stuff your underwear with socks?”
A sense of determination was a common thread that connected the performers — including Scott.
“I have kind of an attitude and I can’t let something go,” Scott said. “You have to take every experience.”
Gavin Sumter was indisputably the crowd favorite, in a flattering floor-length white gown.
“I love to dance and have always been a dancer and (been) doing choreography in high heels,” she said. “But I could never get the full effect without the hair so one day I got the hair and makeup and became Nyla Dior.”
It worked, too. As Nyla Dior, Sumter, a second-year engineering student, ended the night by taking home the title of this year’s Ms. Gaymecock. She was joined by this year’s Mr. Gaymecock winners, Blaine Anderson and Kurt Hummel.
Sumter represents a background shared by a number of people in the BGLSA community, she said.
It took time for her to gaining acceptance from her family, which inspired her — and others — to participate in the pageant.
“I want to show other people the same comfort so that younger generations can be who they want to be,” she said.
Jessica Davies, a first-year English student, watched the pageant Thursday and said it helped show the value of the BGLSA community.
“It’s a safe way to see that we’re not horrible people and it would do a lot for the community,” Davies said.
The way Davies sees it, members of the BGLSA community shouldn’t let negativity define them — no matter how unattainable their goal might seem, she said.
That’s a viewpoint Sumter holds, too.
“Everyone’s got a fierce b**** in ’em, so get in contact with that fierce b****,” Sumter said. “Evaluate yourself (and) what do you want to do that will make your life fulfilled, and once you know what you want to do, do it. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”