As part of the project, the trio decided to host a drag show to highlight some of the people interviewed within the documentary. The show will also appear in the final cut when screened on April 23 at 7 p.m. in Studio C.

The show opened with a speech by Sims and George-Griffin, who thanked those in attendance before introducing the first performer, Mag N. Cheese, who acted as a co-host for portions of the evening. Cheese is also featured prominently in the student documentary. 

The drag show showcased performances from Cocoa Cola Caliente, Mutha Auroara Manifesto, Aloe Vera, Jordan Michelle, Ann Amy Grant and Prince Marsallis. All are based in the Greater Lansing area. 

A few volunteers held baskets to collect any tips missed by the performers as the audience cheered, waving singles in the air. Viewers were also encouraged to donate to Lansing Pride on QR codes posted around the chapel. 

In between performances, various clubs geared toward LGBTQ+ students presented, including the Creative Club, the MSU A-Spectrum Club, So Dramatic, Queer Educators at MSU and ARC. 

"I urge you to find your own safe space and for today, just have fun, because this space is made for you," Creative Club president V Kumar said. 

Queer Educators at MSU introduced themselves shortly afterward, sharing their mission as existing to "foster a community between queer educators and their co- conspirators" amongst an increasingly "hostile" environment, Queer Educators at MSU president Amelia Kravick said.   

"Education has never been more important than it is right now," Kravick continued. "We are really excited to be building a community of like-minded individuals to get us through these next four years and beyond."

Cheese, a native of Arkansas and Tennessee, moved to Michigan almost two years ago. Cheese had been out as transgender when living in Arkansas as they finished high school — an experience they described as "really, really not great."

"I know that there are so many kids that feel exactly how I felt (that are) about to graduate and may be your classmates soon," Cheese said following Queer Educators at MSU’s introduction. "I really need you guys to show every single queer person that you encounter the utmost kindness."

Throughout the show, the production crew operated cameras to create footage for "The Art of Gender." The scenes will be used to help "culminate into this discussion of how important community is in the political climate that we're currently in," Sims said. "We can't talk about drag without talking about how it's at risk and trans lives are at risk right now."

Sims had been inspired by academic Judith Butler’s "Gender Trouble," one of the first texts to explore the idea of gender performance, when coming up with the documentary’s concept. Although "The Art of Gender" focuses on drag specifically, the original idea was also inspired by bodybuilding competitions and beauty pageantry. 

"Drag acts as a subversion of gender norms," Sims explained. "Where body building and beauty pageantry, like drag, both use the body as a canvas, they both play on traditional gender norms."

Had it not been for the class’ time constraint of 20 minutes, the team would’ve explored all three subjects in the documentary. 

Although Sims is the designated director, while George-Griffin is the producer and Fowler is the designated photographer, the small production team have all taken on an "all encompassing role," Sims said. 

In order to find sources for the documentary, the trio attended multiple drag shows and Pride events. They reached out to those that stood out amongst the performances.

When it came to organizing the drag show, Sims said she felt "scatterbrained." After pulling out a fan to cool herself down after speaking on stage, however, Sims began to feel a bit of a "release."

"I was just like, ‘Oh, my God, this is a thing that we've done,’" Sims said.  

"The Art of Gender" team hopes that the support for the drag show today will carry into the future and lead to similar events being held by LGBTQ+ organizations on campus.

"I think the most important thing right now is just to resist," Sims said. "And the best way to resist, in my opinion, is through art."