"Kinsey Sicks"
WARNING: THIS MESSAGE CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE USED BY THE "KINSEY SICKS"
To Members of the Furman Community:
It has come to our attention that an event will be hosted on campus in March co-sponsored by three campus organizations: Furman University Student Activities Board (FUSAB), Residential Life Council (RLC) and Encouraging Respect of Sexualities (EROS) intend to spend over $10,000 of money from student fees on what has been self-advertised as an "over-the-top drag" show. These organizations aim to bring to campus the "Kinsey Sicks," a group that performs a variety show as drag queens.
College Republicans has begun to speak out against the event and has asked its members to express their concern. In this letter, we, the Board of Directors of Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow, wish to clarify where we stand on this increasingly salient issue.
Initially, we were concerned about the sources of funding for this event. Why is FUSAB, an organization that brings us discounted ski trip tickets and new movie releases, funding a drag queen show? Why is RLC, an organization that is supposed to be "Enhancing Residential Life through Service" (ping-pong tables, RA rentals, improvements to residence halls, etc.), funding a stage-number that celebrates gender confusion?
But after further review of the "Kinsey Sicks" and their various acts that they have performed elsewhere, we believe that the problem goes far beyond FUSAB's and RLC's inappropriate funding of this event. Every member of the Furman community should be concerned that this group is scheduled to appear on our campus.
Far from being a "cultural event," the "Kinsey Sicks" is best characterized as an outrageous political hate group. For example:
From a New York Times review of the same show that the "Kinsey Sicks" intend to perform at Furman:
- "Jesus' name comes up several times, and its use -- particularly in sexual contexts -- will be seriously offensive to many."
- "The next [moment] they're getting political, with a parody of 'Chapel of Love' lamenting the laws against gay marriages."
- "Rachel, Trixie, Winnie and Trampolina seem overjoyed by their own naughtiness"
From a Dartmouth school newspaper describing the show that FUSAB/RLC/EROS are sponsoring:
- "They sang some endearing songs about the merits of masturbation, and occasionally opted for astute political commentary, but my favorite moment of the concert revolved around a romantic tryst that you [Dartmouth College President] apparently had with one of the performers. In a lengthy vignette, one of the Drag-appella members (I believe his/her name was Tramp-olina) described in detail a recent date she went on with one President Wright. And in an emotionally entrancing solo on both knees, reenacted the fellatio that you reportedly received, and examined the pros and cons of swallowing."
Or, in the "Kinsey Sicks" own words:
- "[The dialogue is] at times obscene." (From review on their web site)
- "I'm worried that we have a president who's bombing a country he can't spell."
- "We are able to speak to the left political wing and gay community—something we couldn’t do with our other jobs."
- "When you know you’re better than those non-Americans, there’s no need to join the Klan, just become Republican."
- "Sex with Republicans is so much better. People wracked with shame and guilt are ripe for a really spicy pounding! And there's nothing hotter than somebody who'll do me at night and publicly condemn me during the day!"
- "I know why you came to this concert. You want me, don't you? Answer me, f**k-face!"
Some "Kinsey Sicks" "song" titles:
- Anal Warts: A Sing-along
- I Will Swallow Him
- Proud Marys (Special 'Bone Us!' Track)
- Rent a Homo
- Why Can't We F**k?
All of this and more, found in just a cursory reading of the "Kinsey Sicks" web site and reviews of their act, raise serious questions about the decency of the show that FUSAB and RLC want to help bring to Furman. The content of this show is cause for concern amongst any student interested in maintaining the dignity of Furman University.
As an organization dedicated to upholding the dignity of Furman University, CSBT opposes not only FUSAB's and RLC's funding of this event, but also the event itself. FUSAB and RLC have offered weak justifications for their decisions to waste thousands upon thousands of dollars of student money on co-sponsoring the "Kinsey Sicks." Why are they doing this? We can only look at the statements offered by the student leadership of these organizations:
From RLC:
"This event attracted our interest because of incidents had occurred not only this year but in years past when students of a different sexual orientation had been made (maybe purposefully, maybe unintentionally) to feel uncomfortable in their living environment."
What residence hall sexuality issues will be remedied by drag queens singing about fellatio in McAlister Auditorium?
From FUSAB:
"Instead, the show that FUSAB, RLC, and EROS are bringing, 'Dragapella,' does not focus on political parties, but rather on the distinctive lifestyle of Drag Queens."
Either FUSAB did not bother to research the "Kinsey Sicks," or they are openly misleading Furman students when they claim that the show will focus on "lifestyles" and not politics. What assurances can they give to Furman students that this show will not feature the blatant partisanship, political hate speech, and sacrilege that the "Kinsey Sicks" have made hallmarks of their production? Have they read the script? Do they know exactly what will be said in the panel discussion?
CSBT questions the appropriateness of FUSAB's and RLC's funding of this planned event. At the same time, we recognize that EROS has the right to spend their allotted student money with AFS' approval. However, merely possessing the right to do something does not legitimize it. And surely no one can question Furman students' right to demand that their money not be wasted on offensive shock-fests.
Not only should Furman community members demand that FUSAB and RLC stop binge-spending our money under the amorphous guise of "diversity," but they should also demand that EROS take the high road and educate students in a manner that does not degrade our university and embarrass its once-proud alumni.
In the words of the "Kinsey Sicks" themselves: "Yes, the Kinsey Sicks are ready to reach out to the impressionable young minds on YOUR college campus!"
Furman students: You are their target, and your money is their means.
We urged students to notify their parents and alumni about what is planned on Furman's campus, and we started a petition that was presented to the event co-sponsors (FUSAB, RLC, and EROS) to allow members of the Furman community to declare their opposition to this vulgar event (http://www.petitiononline.com/furman/petition.html). When you sign the petition, remember to indicate your position in the Furman community if you are not a student ("parent," "alumnus," etc.) in the "Comments" field. We think you will agree that this event would not reflect well on Furman University.
Sincerely,
Christopher Mills, Jason Novak, Nathan Guinn, and Kyle Wilkins
Board of Directors, Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow
www.furmancsbt.org