Main hoping to make new Crossover party annual

Stephanie Damon-Moore Staff Writer

Many of Vassar’s parties appear to be designed around students wearing as little as possible. But a new cross-dressing party from Main House is focusing on clothing as self-expression.

“A lot of Vassar’s parties are about looking slutty,” said Main House President Luis Trujillo ’09. Although he admitted that is a part of sexuality, he promotes Main House’s upcoming party, Crossover as an event that “isn’t just about being sexy; it’s about self-expression.”

The party takes place on this Friday, Feb 8, with a dance in the Villard Room and other features of the party throughout the college center.This weekend, however, a dorm party has students dressing up so as to express their sexuality, rather than just to be sexy. On Feb. 8, Main House will throw its second party of the year: Cross-Over.

“We’re offering students a place to be free with their sexuality,” said Main House President Luis Trujillo ’09. “Sexuality should not be a threatening thing, and this is the perfect opportunity for students to explore it.”

Taylor Stewart ’10, Main House Vice-President, views the event as an opportunity to try something new. “Loosen up; have fun,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to go outside of your boundaries.”

But don’t worry—if you’re not prepared to cross gender or sexuality lines, you’ll still be welcome at the party. “Cross-dressing is not mandatory,” Trujillo said, “but Cross-Over is an opportunity to put on something that you wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing at a different party.”

Main House Advisor Akiko Yamaguchi sees an event such as Cross-Over as a good way to start dialogue about sexuality. “The goal is also to encourage people to have conversations about gender and sexuality,” Yamaguchi said.

Stewart is also hopeful that the event will spark discussion. “I feel like that kind of conversation happens less at Vassar than it could because it’s such a safe campus,” he explained. “Cross-Over might encourage talk.”

“This party is a way to show how free you are on this campus,” said Teresa Del Carmen ’09, Main House Intern. “Vassar is a very liberal and accepting college. We’re embodying that with Cross-Over.”
If Cross-Over is popular, the Main House Team would like to see it come back in years to come. “Main is the only house that doesn’t have a tradition,” Trujillo said, “so we’re hoping that this will become an annual event.”

Androgenous waitstaff from CHOICE will be serving partygoers everything from condoms to tiramisu from the Italian club. Students can enjoy strobe lights, black lights, and fabulous ‘90s tunes. And if you think that the night—and the sight of your boyfriend in a prom dress—should be preserved, you can take a stroll down the red carpet, have your photo taken, and see the moment immortalized on Facebook.