UTRGV celebrated National Coming Out Day by putting together a fashion show for the community. The Vogue-Quero Ball included extravagant performances, fashion runways and a fun atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
The event, hosted by the UTRGV Counseling Center and the Center for Diversity & Inclusion and Dream Resource Center, took place Thursday night in the University Center on the Edinburg campus. Students and staff came in to join the event as quickly as they could when they saw the pride flags displayed across the room.
On the Brownsville campus, the ball took place Friday afternoon in La Sala.
“One of the things we can all do is just to function with love instead of hate,” said Aaron Hinojosa, program coordinator for Student Life at UTRGV. “I think, if we all, as individuals, function out of love, I think we can build better communities. Even nowadays, I am still afraid, somehow, because I never know who’s out there. … But sometimes it just takes a little bit of courage to go in the right direction.”
Later on, the fashion show began. There were five different categories: Executive Realness, Halloween Freaks and Geeks, Rainbow Pride Stride, Prom Royalty and Vogue-Quero Extravaganza. UTRGV students and members of the community participated in the fashion contest in which they danced, catwalked and posed like models.
“I was really excited, this is my first, like, big thing that I’ve come to since coming out and I just wanted to meet new people and it’s looking really fun,” said Evelyn Ramos, a freshman computer science major at UTRGV. “I am excited, maybe more people will choose to come out and if not that’s OK. … Coming Out Day has always been really fun.”
The night ended with Abraham Morales, whose stage name is Alexxa Oasis, winner of the Miss Gay USofA Newcomer 2019, drag queen speaker and special guest at the Vogue-Quero Ball. Oasis gave a flamboyant and glamourous performance for the community to enjoy.
“I think it’s amazing,” Oasis said. “I think it is good that the university is starting to kinda reach out for everyone to be comfortable, to be in a place where they can be safe and have a lot of fun. I think it’s so amazing that they are reaching out like this.”
PSJA T-Stem Early College High School student Jasper Chapa twirls for judges during the Vogue-Quero Ball, competing in the category of Prom Royalty. Participating judges included UTRGV mathematics freshman and 2020 Miss Teen Belleza Latina Ashlee Ebarb and University College Lecturer Michelle Alvarado. AMANDA VELA/THE RIDER
