The detail, preparation and work that male drag queens put into their costumes and performances is tremendous.

ISU students will be able watch the Drag show, hosted by Iowa State’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Alliance.

The show features performance artist Jupiter Knows. The show lasts from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Tickets cost $7 for the Alliance members and $10 for non-members, and can be purchased beforehand or at the door. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume.

“Drag is an art form. It’s a way for me to express myself and my creativity, which is the point of any art form whether it be painting, theater, photography or whatever else,” said Cody Lenz, one of the models for the show.

A perpetual stereotype of drag queens is that they are all gay men who want to be women. This is simply untrue and offensive to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to Thomas Wojcinski, a former drag queen and occasional drag show judge.

“I simply don’t want to be a woman. I’m not sure how to explain it any plainer. When actors play the roles of murderers in TV and movies, no one ever accuses them of secretly wanting to be a murderer,” Wojcinski said. 

Cross-dressing was originally done by straight men and women. Hindu, Greek and Norse mythologies all contain multiple tales where main characters engage in cross-dressing. One of the more well-known tales of Norse mythology is the story of how Thor’s hammer was stolen by the giant Thrymr and, to get it back, he and his brother Loki dressed up as women and tricked the giant into marrying Thor.

Joan of Arc and Hua Mulan both cross-dressed to be able to fight in wars, and all female roles in theatre were played by men who cross-dressed until the 17th century.

People have been expressing themselves through cross-dressing for thousands of years. Drag shows are simply another way for people to express who they are.