MAKEUP

Continued from page 4 burgh’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion had its own table, providing information regarding some of the campus’ LGBTQ+ resources.

Among those representing the DEI office was visiting scholar in the sociology department, Lee Thorpe.

“Personally, being able to attend Pride is another day of being alive and sharing experiences with other community members who are able to be out. Not everyone has that luxury. I decided to attend this Pride event because it’s a great way to build com- same-sex love. The legacy of colonialism continues to affect LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance in South Asia today, as post-independence governments and societies grapple with decriminalization and efforts to reclaim their inclusive heritage.”

Moryani then described the adversities South Asians feel when it comes to coming out or experiencing any kind of emotional feeling outside of traditional norms.

“LGBTQ+ individuals already struggle with numerous challenges due to their identity. Being South Asian and queer can present other unique challenges as well. Lack of family support is the biggest issue South Asians face is a lack of recognition and consequently, support from family. Many Desi families, including immigrants, prefer to conform to traditional ideas of gender and sexuality. Societal rejection is what encourages familial disappointment. South Asian families find themselves rigidly tied to the expectations and norms of

“A lot of people are like, ‘Are you inspired by anime? Are you inspired by drag queens when you do it[makeup]?’ But, it’s like I used to draw like hand-draw, and this is how I would draw my eyes. I would give all my characters these winged eyes and long eyelashes on the bottom, which I always got criticized for because I would do it on men too, because God forbid men have eyelashes.”

Dennerlein’s makeup goes handin-hand with her clothes. Dennerlein overall believes her style is more alternative, but it is “more universal” than people seem.

“It’s like a charcuterie platter of all things alternative,” Dennerlein said. “You got your goth pastrami, you got your preppy salami and I like charcuterie boards.”

Looking back on the times where Dennerlein wasn’t able to fully show who she was through her style, she is now more confident in her makeup and clothes than ever before. Even noticing that she has become the reflection of the people she aspired to be like in a new era.

“I’m kind of taken back to my roots of this little girl who looked up to all these cartoon characters, Avril Lavigne, you know any, big celebrity who wore just a smidge amount of eyeliner and now it’s kind of full circle,” Dennerlein said. “I feel like I try to take a modern 2020s like-aspect to it, where it is a bit more polished and not as rugged.” munity and to show other students and community members that they have support from faculty,” Thorpe said. “This was my first Pride in Plattsburgh, but I am definitely looking forward to next year’s event.”

Live music provided by local artists helped bring a spirited energy to the event. Between performers, speakers addressed the crowd, including Kelly Metzgar, director of the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance, as well as Michael Cashman, supervisor for the Town of Plattsburgh. Some their surrounding society. Denial of basic rights is one of the worst aspects of dealing with a regressive reaction to one’s core identity is the denial of basic rights such as education, health services and opportunities to grow professionally.”

Prasamsha Singh

Thakuri, another intern for Desi Club, added how allies can support family members and friends who are in the LGBTQ+ community.

Some ways Singh Thakuri recommended were to “Use comforting sentences such as, ‘I’m so proud of you’, ‘I’m here for you’ and ‘Thank you for sharing,’ ask them if there is something you can do to help them, make sure to use their right pronouns, create a safe space for them and educate yourself on the LGBTQ+ community.”

Ankita Mane, treasurer for Desi Club, used examples of different famous figures and organizations from South Asia that are in the LGBTQIA+ community or are supporters of this community such as Harish Iyer an LG- of the last to perform at the celebration were drag queens from around the North Country, who kept the audience engaged even as the event wound down.

While some students may not be fully aware of the next steps in their careers, Dennerlein has some big yet conflicting hopes for her future, combining her love for both fashion and TV production.

“My ultimate dream job is to be a floor manager for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ I want to be that person that is like, ‘Five minutes ladies,’ I would want to do that forever. But, I don’t know how they would take it if I said, ‘Hm, you could use a bit more highlighter,’ Dennerlein said.

Dennerlein’s fashion icon, drag queen Trixie Mattel is one of the many teachers that shaped her makeup. While Mattel wasn’t someone Dennerlein knew personally, she still inspired Dennerlein to try different methods and create a new form of self-expression.

Self love and appreciation is necessary for all walks of life and Dennerlein explains that it is just as important to love the artist just as much as you love the art.

“I embrace this part of myself physically as well,” Dennerlein said.

For anyone looking to try different styles, or even experiment with different areas, Dennerlein explains the most important part of any look.

“Be in an outfit that makes you happy because otherwise, why wear?” Dennerlein said.

Fashion is not only the clothes you wear or the runway you walk, it’s a way you can express yourself through an artform that showcases who you are and what you represent.

The event was attended not just by people local to Plattsburgh, but also by people from all around the North Country region for whom Pride events are important.

Iliya Konaktchiev, a Paul Smith’s College student who attended the event, spoke about the importance of the event to him, as someone who lives further out in the North Country.

“Something unique about rural pride events and especially Plattsburgh is it serves as kind of a beacon for LGBT people because it’s out of the way and also the most populated area around for miles, so I ran into people I knew from other LGBT events and random other places I happened to meet people,” Konaktchiev said, “It’s interesting how gay people are everywhere and you won’t know it without functions like that.”

The event was certainly important for people in and around the Plattsburgh area, and allowed people to build community and show their support to their LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors.

BTQIA+ activist known for advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in India and Queer Hindu Alliance which is an organization provides support and resources for LG-

BTQIA+ Hindus in the South Asian region while educating people on the LGBTQIA+ and Hinduism.

Pandey then spoke on the different resources LGBTQIA+ students have on campus such as LGBTQ+ resource committee, which meets biweekly on Thursdays of every month at 11 a.m. in ACC Meeting Room 3, LGBTQ+ Peer Support which meets every Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. and LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop; Clubs & Organizations can host workshops and trainings.

Patron-burgos concluded the powerpoint by honing in on the development and growth in Desi culture.

“We have explored challenges that LGBTQ individuals face within our community and the broader society. Thankfully for our organizations and community, we have strengthened. It is a good edu- cation for newer generations to understand that there’s more love than one gender. Let’s move forward in our community by standing for LGBTQIA+ rights.”

After the presentation ended, Moryani opened an additional slide with seven questions to engage the audience in an active conversation on the LGBTQ+ community in South Asia, media, different regions and what institutions can do to improve and create a safe environment for not just members of the LGBTQ+ community, but everyone. For more information on which support to join contact diversity@plattsburgh. edu if interested in Resource Committee or LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop, contact Kristina Moquin at pool6563@plattsburgh.edu if interested in LGBTQ+ Peer Support.