The Underground Dance Party University of California, Riverside

What is the Underground? Annual Diversity Program Promote gender expression and LGBT related issues Combination of Drag Show, Drag Competition and Dance Party Fundraiser for a charitable organization related to LGBT issues Passive Program posted prior to event with information relevant to gender and LGBT issues

Desired Learning Outcomes Increase knowledge about issues regarding history of drag and LGBT community Understand and appreciate difference by exposing students to a different culture Promote civic engagement by providing opportunities for charitable giving Promote building community through face to face interactions

Literature Review/Relevant Theories Bowen & Bourgeois (2001) found as awareness of LGBT issues increases, students develop more positive attitudes and behavior towards LGBT people

Research Questions Are the goals of the program clearly visible and understood my residents? What do residents who attend learn and do they find this information valuable? Does the program encompass all four aspects of the UCR Housing Programming Model : to be intentional, inclusive, build community and support learning?

Method Web based survey based on learning outcomes of the program Included questions regarding Underground event and passive program Included 3 open ended questions about learning, purpose and improvement of The Underground ed to 303 students who attended

Results 49 students returned survey, 16% 66% freshman, 8% sophomores, 16% juniors, 10% seniors 65% women, 33% men, 2% declined to state 75% straight, 12% bisexual, 6% gay, 4% declined to state, 2% pansexual 39% Asian/Pacific Islander, 21% Chicano/Latino, 16% Black/African American, 6% Biracial/Multiracial, 2% Asian Indian, 2% Native American

Reasons for Attending Opportunity to Dance 69% Friends attending 67% Drag Show 49% Drag Competition 39% Laser Show 20% Support Gay Community 2% Work 2%

Student Satisfaction Based on a 5 point likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree Drag Show (4.0) Event Staff (3.9) Registration (3.8) Laser Show (3.7) Disc Jockey (3.2)

Underground Learning Outcomes Underground Dance Party Learning Outcomes Statement Strongly DisagreeDisagreeNeutralAgree Strongly AgreeAvg. Tota l More informed about LGBT issues4%12%39%35%10%3.349 More informed about gender identity issues6% 31%45%12%3.549 More informed about Jeffrey Owen's Center22%18%33%20%6%2.749 Felt comfortable participating4%8%20%29%39%3.949 Feel more comfortable expressing myself6% 29%35%24%3.749 More open to different viewpoints4%2%22%39%33%3.949 Feel closer to my peers4%2%31%47%16%3.749 Feel what I learned is valuable4%6%29%33%29%3.849 Average %:6.9%7.7%29.1%35.2%21.2%

Passive Program Learning Outcomes Passive Program Learning Outcome Statements Statement Did Not AttendStrongly DisagreeDisagreeNeutralAgree Strongly Agree Avg. Tota l More informed about history of DragN/A2%10%38%36%14%349 More informed about LGBT issuesN/A2%14%32%36%16%3.149 More informed about gender identity issuesN/A5%11%30%39%16%3.149 Average %:11.6%2.7%10.2%29.3%32.7%13.6%

Student Responses to Open-Ended Questions

Implications for Practice Make students aware of interaction with performers to create a comfortable environment (have section for students okay with participating) Increase awareness about charitable organization Continue passive program and involve all residence halls Provide a better DJ