Daily Egyptian 10/27/11

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UNION REPRESENTATIVES ENCOURAGES STUDENTS’ OPINIONS Mary Sasse, a retired

SIU instructor, left, and Natasha Zaretsky, an associate professor in history, pass out strike information Tuesday in the Student Center. The four unions have been been negotiating since union members' contracts ended June 2010.

DAVID GOOLD | DAILY EGYPTIAN

The four unions have each set a strike date for Nov. 3, and will strike unless an agreement is reached between the unions and the administration by then. Zaretsky and Sasse handed out phone numbers of state representatives, and encouraged students to ask the administration to settle.

Famous drag queen speaks out on gay, straight alliance TARA KULASH Daily Egyptian A famous drag queen chose SIUC as the first university she will visit to promote a gay, straight alliance. Morgan McMichaels, the female persona of performer Thomas White, performed at the Student Center Wednesday in honor of GLBT History Month. McMichaels was on the second season of the reality television show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.� She was also in the spinoff show, “RuPaul’s Drag U,� and singer Rihanna’s “S&M� music video. McMichaels followed her drag show performance, with a speech on the hardships she has faced as a homosexual. Afterward, there was a question-and-answer session and a meet and greet. “The gay community appreciates all these straight, fantastic people that came out tonight to support us,� McMichaels said. Shane Carrillo, a Carbondale resident, said the event was important to her because she is pansexual. “It means I’m attracted to people who are attractive, regardless of their gender,� Carrillo said. “As long as I find them attractive, they are attractive.�

NATHAN HOEFERT | DAILY EGYPTIAN

Drag queen Morgan McMichaels interacts with Shawnta Robinson, a freshman from Chicago studying criminal justice, Wednesday

during Divas of Diversity in the Student Center Auditorium. McMichaels uses her fame to bring awareness to anti-bullying campaigns.

She said she’s a fan of McMichaels because she finds the queen to be talented and funny. “She’s very glamorous, and I kind of like the fact that she's very modern in her drag. It’s not like the old 80s kind of stuff. It’s more

fashion glamor,� Carrillo said. McMichaels said she grew up in Scotland, and the environment made it difficult for her sexuality to be accepted. “It’s the same in America. They want you

to be the top dog, the alpha male, but I was different,� she said. McMichaels said it’s important not to let bullies get in the way of a happy life. “No matter what your situation is, you don't be the victim,� she said. “You only allow yourself to be a victim. You control you. You live your life. Don’t let anybody else tell you what you can and can't do, because at the end of the day you only have yourself.� She said no one should be made fun of, whether if it’s for their hair, weight, ethnicity or sexuality. McMichaels said the littlest thing could have the biggest effect on someone else. Wendy Weinhold, coordinator of GLBT Resource Center and PhD. candidate in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts, said the event is both entertaining and educational. “It’s entertainment because it’s a drag show and the performer will have fun with the crowd, but also there is a discussion after the show,� she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for people to understand what it means to do drag and the challenges of traveling and doing drag shows.� Please see PERFORMANCE | 3


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