Delta Lambda Phi hosted its fifth annual Green With Envy drag show at the Kent State KIVA on Tuesday and raised $2,243 toward an LGBTQ scholarship.

The national social fraternity is a traditional Greek organization on Kent’s campus but was founded in 1986 by gay men for all men. It was originally created to serve gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men, although sexual orientation is not a prerequisite to join. 

The show consisted of drag queens performing for the attendees, who donated “tips” to their favorite drag queen. The drag queen would then donate their tips toward the LGBTQ scholarship Delta Lambda Phi supports. Ticket sales would also went toward the scholarship.

“The proceeds from the event all go toward the event, so the fraternity doesn’t pocket any of the profits,” said Simon Foxaol, an alumni member who assisted with the event.

Green With Envy was hosted by drag queens Mary-Kate Rockefeller and Jasmyn Labasha and featured dancers Nova Kane, Arista Adams, Khloe Chanel Stratton and Demi Sexton.

The event was sponsored by Kent State Fraternity and Sorority Life, Skulls Salon, All Media and Little City Grill.

Kyle Dunn, the president of Delta Lambda Phi, explained the event also gives people an opportunity to experience something they might not see every day.

“The event consists of drag queens that volunteer their time to perform for the Greek and Kent community,” Dunn said.

Morgan Hallam, a freshman biology major, is part of Chi Omega and attended the event because it seemed like a fun event to attend.

“I was really looking forward to this event,” Hallam said. “I didn’t really know what to expect out of it, but I’m happy that I’m here.”

Christopher Clevenger, the alumni adviser for Delta Lambda Phi, said he’s also seen the event grown over the years.

“The event has changed a lot over the years. Originally it was a dinner with entertainment from the local drag community,” Clevenger said. “Today, it has grown to a three-hour event with fourteen performances and participation from the Kent State Greek community.”

Mary-Kate Rockafeller, also a founder of the event, was the first drag queen to perform. She opened up to Janet Jackson’s “Escapade.” Rockafeller interacted with the crowd, accepting tips and dancing for a few attendees.

“I do drag for this event once a year, and I do it all for you,” Rockafeller said.

Jasmyn Labasha took the stage afterward when she danced to Rihanna’s “Disturbia”, cutting up her hair and throwing it around stage.

The show continued with the featured drag queens dancing to their own soundtrack with Labasha and Rockafeller providing commentary about the performances.

“Five years ago, we had no idea that this event would continue for this long, along with growing this big,” Labasha said. “But,thank you all for helping make this event possible.”

Tony Verduce, a junior hospitality management major and a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa, attended the event with seven other of his fraternity brothers and enjoyed the performances. “I’m having a great time, and I think that this is an awesome philanthropy.”

Marcy Fara, a junior crafts major, attended the event last year and was excited about attending this year’s event. “The girls look fabulous and I can’t wait to see how much many was raised,” Fara said.

After an intermission, Clevenger called all the Delta Lambda Phi members in the KIVA to the main stage, where they awarded Ashton Wade, a junior American sign language major and a sister with Sigma Sigma Sigma, with the Chapter Sweetheart, which is given for outstanding service and support toward the fraternity.

The event also highlighted Demi Sexton, one of the drag queens performing, going to on RaPaul’s Drag Race season 10.

Contact Angelo Angel at [email protected].