Editor’s note: Fixed one instance of Moore’s name being misspelled.

The magical world of drag came to life Feb. 9 at Kansas State’s 20th annual charity drag show, “Life in Plastic.” The Sexuality Gender Alliance, the Spectrum Center and the Union Program Council sponsored and organized the show with the help of host Monica Moore.

The Spectrum Center utilizes funds raised during the show for scholarships, access to sexual health testing, gender-affirming healthcare for K-State students and more. This year’s fundraising will provide transgender students access to year-round gender-affirming and life-saving care. Before the performance, it had already raised over $9,000.

This year, there were eight different acts from performers Ty Woo; Valaree Love; the LeCamerons; Penny Tration, who competed on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in season five; Moore; Lil Kim Chi; and a new performer, Mr. Wolf.

Before the show, Moore and Lil Kim Chi spoke about the connection of “Life in Plastic” to their performances and lives as drag queens.

“I grew up in a very different time in rural Kansas where playing with dolls was not acceptable,” Moore said. “Dressing like a woman was not okay … Barbie was as much of a touch point for us as it was for little girls.”

Moore said there’s often a connection between playing dress up with Barbies and being queer.

“Ask almost any gay boy, especially a gay boy that does drag; they will have a childhood story about a Barbie doll,” Moore said. “We have done their hair. We have done their makeup. We have made costumes for them. We’ve had fashion shows with them, usually while hiding under our beds or under a blanket so that nobody would know.”

Moore performed fundraising acts during the show, and their employer, Adobe, matched the donations from both performances.

“This show is by far my greatest accomplishment; it is something that I am the most proud of,” Moore said. “I love knowing that I can throw on a wig and a dress and know that I am absolutely making a difference for the students here at K-State. It is truly one of the most important things I think that I will ever touch in my lifetime.”

During the show, it was announced that Lil Kim Chi would begin the process of taking over for Moore in the show’s coordination role.

Donations to the Spectrum Center can be made on their website under LGBT Foundation Support.