Burlesque drag show at UW-Fox Point creating controversy



MENASHA (WITI) -- A burlesque drag show is coming to UW-Fox Valley Thursday night, March 14th, and some are wondering whether the cross-dressing event is appropriate for a public university.

UW-Fox Valley says the drag show Thursday night is an educational opportunity for both students and the community.

"We encourage diversity of thought as well as the whole system and it's an educational opportunity for students to see this kind of theater," Dave Hager with UW-Fox Valley University Relations said.

The show features men dressing up as women, but the group Wisconsin Family Action says the show has no place on a college campus.

"UW-Fox Valley should be taking a long hard look at what they are encouraging students to be involved in under the guise of diversity. This isn't about diversity, this is about promotion of an agenda," WFA president Julaine Appling said.

Hager says student fees were used to bring the show to campus, which cost several thousand dollars. A show at least some students say is inappropriate.

"It's just contrary to my religion and I would feel uncomfortable seeing it," Hannah Larson said.

Larson says she doesn't see what the educational benefits could be.

"No, not really, I don't see how that could be educational for anyone," Larson said.

Other students though say learning about diversity is part of their education outside the classroom.

"I have a lot of friends who are transgender and they are really nice people and I think it's a good experience for them to come out and get in front of people," Jena Sieckert said.

"This is just another opportunity for students to see a kind of performance that they may not be able to see unless they go to a larger city," Hager said.

Hager says the show doesn't involve any nudity. Rather, it's comprised mainly of singing, dancing and comedy. But not the kind everyone wants to see.

"Especially if it's something that I don't agree with, it's kind of hard to see that my money is going toward that," Larson said.

The school says it has sold about half of the 200 available tickets for the show.