Across the country, fraternities often have a reputation of being hubs of toxic masculinity. A Latino-based fraternity at DePaul University hosted an event on April 2 hoping to change that.
Sigma Lambda Beta hosted the show—Purple Reign Extravaganza II: A Star-Studded Drag Showcase on Dismantling Machismo & Gender Equity—featuring six drag performers and hosted by performer Luna Eclipse. Following each performance, each person spoke about what dismantling machismo means to them.
Machismo, coming from the Spanish word “macho,” describes the stereotypical traditional idea of men needing to be both manly and a provider, but can also reflect ideas of dominance and aggression. As a topic that often comes up in Latino spaces, Sigma Lambda Beta chose to feature it as a topic for the show.
Will Velazquez, the fraternity’s Central Regional Director, said this type of show can bring the younger generation together and make a change. Part I of the program took place in a smaller show two years ago—this year’s larger and more elaborate show was possible in part due to a fraternity event grant he had encouraged the chapter to apply for.
“It opens an opportunity to talk about this on a grander scale,” he said. “Not just a chapter, not just a region, but nationwide. It’s an opportunity for us to grow as a fraternity and grow as people too.”
He said the event would also be broadcast to other brothers and chapters outside of DePaul.
The event space—an old-style building with large photos of priests along the walls—also had a tabling area in the back for information on Planned Parenthood services and items such as pins and stickers supporting their work. Over 50 attendees filled the seating area with excited energy and conversation ahead of the start time.
The show, hosted by performer Luna Eclipse in a neon green and pink 80’s workout class inspired outfit, featured performers from a wide variety of gender identities including cis, trans and nonbinary people.
Each performance also brought a different energy to the space—queen Miss Astrid performed a high-energy dance to Lady Gaga’s ‘Zombieboy’; king Peeper Johnson danced with the crowd and on top of tables during Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’; while Luna Eclipse closed out the show with a powerful performance to Beyonce’s ‘I Was Here.’
The performers each also shared their personal experiences discovering drag, whether it was in their bedroom alone years ago with disapproving parents or as an avenue that saved their life. The night’s first performer, Bennie Boy, spoke about how he’s made his drag persona his own through incorporating both masculine and feminine aspects.
“I think we need to dismantle any thoughts of what a man should or shouldn’t be,” he said. “We need to keep an open mind.
Peeper Johnson also spoke about how drag was an extension of the sense of self-determination he felt as a trans masculine person.
“I got to play a huge role in the creation of myself and what man I want to be,” he said. “And I don’t think that’s exclusive to trans people.”
During a break in the performances, Luna Eclipse spoke to the crowd about how much backlash the event had received on Facebook from fraternity members outside DePaul and others. However, she said she felt the love from the room and knew they were doing something good by bringing together positive energy in support of the queer community.
A few members of the fraternity also took the stage to speak about their own thoughts on dismantling machismo. Mateo Felipe, a friend of Luna Eclipse, said he sees it as using the privilege given to him by patriarchal standards to have difficult conversations and living in an authentic way.
“It can be going out and spreading the message that there’s no real and specific way to be a man, and there never will be,” he said. “Let’s continue pushing that message along.”