By snoadmin
He was a cheerleader and in a fraternity while in college, was in Camp Fire USA when he was a child and likes performers like Lady Gaga: is he gay?
Questions like these were asked of five panelists during last Wednesday’s main event, “Guess Who’s Gay,” as part of Respect Week outside the Student Recreation and Wellness Center at Cal State Long Beach. The event, sponsored by Associated Students, Inc. and hosted by KBeach manager John Trapper, asked participants to decide who was gay. Participating students had to figure out which panelist fit each description based on appearance and wrote their answers down on a piece of paper.
Based on Jeffrey Klaus’ appearance, which included a big fiery-red wig, a magenta and black-colored loose dress, dark heels and bright makeup, he could be mistaken for gay.
But he isn’t. In fact the director of Student Life and Development is actually a gay-ally who has fought for gay rights ever since college, where he made friends with gay men and eventually let go of his homophobic ways.
“In college, it was a real eye-opening experience to have friends that were gay and see the lens from which they are having to experience the world… and when you know someone, I think it really does change the experience,” Klaus said during the panel.
Because of his affiliation with others and his comfort with his sexuality, Klaus said he has been assumed gay more than 50 times.
“I think part of it is the things you affiliate with. I am very comfortable being around people that I enjoy,” Klaus said. “Being a college cheerleader certainly led me down a certain path. I mean how many guys can say they were in Camp Fire Girls?” Klaus said sarcastically to the crowd.
“Now you may be asking why. My mom had all friends that had daughters. I was the only son of the crew so I just got lumped in.”
Based around the “Jeopardy” theme song and style, Trapper asked students questions and gave answers, resulting in shocked expressions and wows from the crowd.
Gay and lesbian participants included Henry Fradella, chair of the criminal justice department; Micky Small, who worked as a production manager for “In the Life” television and currently works for the CSULB theatre department; and Isai Valdez, who graduated from CSULB last year and was involved in student government and a fraternity. Last but not least was Vic Carmona, also known to many on campus as “Lady Vajayjay.”
As Trapper described their likes, skills and interests — which included working out, using power tools very well and playing competitive soccer — students were shocked to see who these people were despite what their appearance might say otherwise.
Aside from Klaus’ somewhat deceiving appearance — possibly because of his hairy legs and sloppy makeup as clues to his heterosexuality — the other surprise was that Carmona came as himself, not as his alterego, Lady Vajajay, who is always in drag and uses a different voice.
In addition to dressing in drag to help fund raise for causes such as AIDS and autism, Carmona also served two tours of duty in Operation Desert Storm, in the ’90s while in the Navy.
Unfortunately, because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy he was kicked out.
“I did what I had to do,” Carmona said. “I ate, I slept, I didn’t bother anybody.”
“I was discharged because of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ … I told!” Carmona added in his Lady Vajayjay high-pitched voice.
Aside from free pizza, students also entered a raffle to win free passes to the rec center for this summer.
Boris Benavides, communications major, was happy to be one of the winners for a free rec center pass, but was also happy to have attended the event in general.
“You shouldn’t be judging anybody based on how they dress or anything like that, or just because they are wearing a dress,” Benavides said. “They might be straight but just doing something to help the community.”
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