BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Word of a drag show at Bellingham’s Whatcom Middle School has raised some eyebrows, but the district says it’s not what some have portrayed it as.
The Drop Dead Gorgeous Drag Show was conceived by Whatcom’s GSA student organization as part of Bellingham Schools’ Think BIG Challenge.
It’s one of seven student clubs that are receiving grants of $1,000 to $2,500 for ideas ranging from science, the environment, student transportation, even crochet.
The money is not coming from the district but is a grant from the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, the district’s non-profit partner.
The event hasn’t been scheduled yet but will be extracurricular and will happen outside of school hours.
The district says similar events have been held in the past and have included fashion, personal expression, musical performances and more.
It stresses that school policies ensure that the drag/talent show will be behaviorally appropriate.
GSA – or Gender Sexuality Alliance – clubs have been shown by research to enhance school safety and positive student development.