Foss Cross, the annual cross-dressing dance party held during New Student Orientation, may become a thing of the past.
This summer, the New Student Orientation Committee will decide whether or not to replace the event with something less provocative.
“I have several concerns, one being the overly sexualized and sexist way that many male-identified people dress as ’women,’” said Tim Shiner, Director of Orientation Programs. “Second, that the event proposes that what some people consider identity can be made one night into a costume.”
Shiner also noted that the University would never sponsor a “come as another race” or “come as another religion” themed-party.
“That being said, as has been pointed out to me by others, the history of, for instance, blackface and drag are two very different histories, one steeped in racism and one steeped in a liberation movement,” Shiner said. “It is how the concepts play out in an actual event that is my concern.”
Expectedly, initial student reaction to the news has been mixed.
“I feel that since we live in a world where the gender binary is so rigid, we should celebrate opportunities to bend that binary and push it to the extreme,” said Jega Gunasagaran ’11. “How often do we see a straight male in a brassiere? Or how often can you actually feel comfortable to go out in public in drag, without feeling judged?”
Joss Stone ’08 welcomed more opportunities to play around with gender on campus, but questioned the event’s framing.
“The whole event hinges upon how entertaining people find it that they are dressing up in clothes that do not ’fit’ their gender,” she said. “This is in no way a liberating practice as far as I’m concerned. A lot of people, theorists, etc., view drag as a way of illuminating the performative nature of gender, but I don’t think that Foss Cross is framed in this way to the incoming freshmen.”
Shiner said he has received support for changing the event, as well as pleas to keep it the same.
“It was also been pointed out to me that Foss Cross is for many people a liberating, educational, and/or validating experience,” he said.
Gunasagaran thinks Foss Cross offers a valuable opportunity for new students to bond with hallmates and Resident Advisors (RAs), but suggested that the event could be given a more educational element.
“Remember, drag is art,” Gunasagaran. “If you throw it in Beckham, it will be easy enough to put on a slideshow to let people know about the role of drag as the pioneers of the gay rights movement in the ’70s. The harmful stereotypes towards women may be removed if it is made apparent that drag is a separate art form and does not have any derogatory intent towards women.”
Shiner is seeking constructive feedback from the student body.
“We’re going to have a dance party event for incoming students as part of the Orientation Program, it’s just a question of what that event should be.”
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