October 3, 2024
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) invites the community to a thought-provoking
evening of discussion and insight featuring a panel of local drag performers as part
of the annual Lavender Lecture.
Panelists Vuronika Baked, Gemini DaBarbay, and Jackie Legs will take the stage on
Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. in Venable Theater to share their personal experiences
with drag and their journeys in exploring their queer identities.
This panel, presented in a moderated Q&A format, offers a unique opportunity to hear
from the performers about the role of drag in their lives, the challenges and triumphs
they’ve faced, and how the art form has shaped their self-expression and activism.
The event is generously sponsored by the MCLA Foundation Lavender Fund Donors, whose
contributions continue to enrich campus life for LGBTQIA+ students. The Lavender Fund,
launched in 2019, plays a critical role in bringing LGBTQIA+ speakers to campus, sending
students to LGBTQIA+ conferences, and sponsoring trips to historic sites tied to the
LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement. This initiative aims to foster a campus culture where
LGBTQIA+ students feel supported and empowered.
This event is free and open to the public. To learn more about supporting the Lavender
Fund and its ongoing impact, visit Lavender Lecture (mcla.edu).
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed
to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered
to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to
public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for
10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years.
The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in
additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for
liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility
for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools
graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
