Gay College Parties: The Best Parties For You Young Folk
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These dudes seem fun. Photo Credit: Getty Images[/caption]
It can be hard to find hot parties when you're a younger gay, but we've got five options below that are pretty amazing.
Check them out.
Event: Drag Ball
College: Oberlin, OH
When does it happen: April
What is it: Started by a small group of queer students in the late 80s, this popular event hosts drag performers from all over the country (RuPaul, Amanda Lepore and Murray Hill have all made appearances) and gives students the opportunity to perform in front of their friends. Sadly, the college cut funding in 2010, relegating the festivities to the basement of the student union—but tickets continue to sell out (600 attended last year's ball), and student organizers remain hopeful that the event will regain its former endowment.
Event: HOTT Drag Race
College: NYU, NY
When does it happen: March
What is it: Started in 2009 by members of the gay-friendly Delta Lambda Phi fraternity, this philanthropic drag fête helps support Health Outreach To Teens (HOTT), which offers free medical and mental health services to LGBTQ youth. The event draws several hundred stiletto-wearing revelers (including non-students), and is hosted by Dominique Aviance, who emcees her way through performances by both students and local NYC drag queens—though only members of NYU Greek life are actually allowed to compete.
Event: Coming Out Dance
College: Sarah Lawrence, NY
When does it happen: April
What is it: Although this annual sex fest has taken a tamer turn in recent years, its mighty legacy lives on. Started by the college's Queer Voices Coalition in 1989, the dance itself is the highly-anticipated culmination of "Sleaze Week," a series of on-campus workshops dedicated to safe sex, body positivity and sexual image. Newly empowered students then put their knowledge into practice by showing up half-naked (and very, very drunk) to an all-night x-rated rager that, in 2001, attracted the attention of a Nerve.com writer. The resulting images speak a thousand naughty words.
Event: Fall Ball
College: SUNY Purchase, NY
When does it happen: November
What is it: Considered the longest-running event on campus, this annual gender-bending extravanganza takes place in the college's 1000-capacity Student Center, whose walls are adorned with trippy, robot-inspired murals. Last year's lineup of over 20 performers included SUNY Purchase alums Mizz Jade and Thorgy Thor, as well as FiFi DuBois and Tresemme Dahling, both of whom are currently enrolled at the college.
Event: Pride Prom
College: San Francisco State, CA
When does it happen: March
What is it: In 2011, SF State's first-ever Pride Prom welcomed over 500 LGBTQ folks, as well as their allies, to show off their dance moves in the campus Student Center. Queer Alliance Pride Committee member Garrett Reid told the Golden Gate Express that the idea was to welcome "everyone under the rainbow and everyone not under the rainbow"—and the event's inclusivity was a main reason for its success. That, and the opportunity to get called up on stage and be crowned prom queen (or king) in categories like "Best Dressed," "Best Hair," or "Prom Superstar."
