Pageant of Troy

USC Queer and Ally Student Assembly (QuASA) hosted its 15th annual drag show Sunday at Bovard Auditorium, which was transformed into an electrifying ballroom with lancet windows and theatrical haze.

Twelve queens served a spectrum of gender-bending drag in kinky black leather boots, fuchsia leopard booty shorts, scintillating rhinestones and many many cheeky derrières.

Alizé Stone, host and drag queen, commenced with a sultry opener. Her drag daughter and co-director of QuASA, Miss Willonique followed suit in formidable fashion.

Performances included a homoerotic duet between Edward Cullen and Jacob Black, a phallic swan serenade and checking notes… a mayonnaise sandwich eating in an oral sex position competition? No one said drag is family friendly.

Despite the warm atmosphere, some queens took a moment to speak up on the current attack on LGBTQ+ rights by the Trump administration. “Gender affirming care is lifesaving care,” said drag queen Ella Mayo. Other queens, like Dacity, silently held a red triangle behind an agender flag, while her white robe danced against the fan like a mainsail.

Shortly after, a lip sync battle began. After two rounds of strutting, miming and jump splits, Rae Oblivion and Digaysia sashayed to first place, to which the latter was met with roars of applause after death dropping in the crowd.

Before closing the event, Stone asked the crowd one more favor: to shout the word “love” in unison. In moments, they obeyed and belted from their bellies, declaring an ultimate affirmation of pride.