BLOOMINGTON – For the fourth year, Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus hosted the Gabe Hinds Celebration of Life Drag Show on March 30 in Shreve Hall. The annual show raised $1,328.55, which was donated to Community AIDS Action Group of South Central Indiana toward the creation of a Positive Link Ivy Tech Scholarship for students. The fundraiser was the culminating event for Pride Week put on by Campus Pride, Ivy Tech’s student LGBTQIA+ group.

Last year, the event raised $1,004 for local non-profit agency, WildCare Inc., and in previous years, raised $664.00 for the Ivy Tech Student Emergency Assistance Fund and $275 for the Gabe Hinds and Nikolas Kalosandros Scholarship.

The show was open to the public, fun for all ages, and completely free, with attendees donating three carts worth of non-perishable food items for Ivy Tech’s student food pantry. The event began as a dedication to Gabe “Todd” Hinds (1969-2016) who was an Ivy Tech employee for eighteen years. Gabe was also a loyal patron of Bloomington drag entertainment and an avid supporter and volunteer at WildCare Inc.

This year’s feature entertainment included former Miss Gay IU, Della Licious (‘03) alongside some of the best and brightest in drag entertainment: Siniya Omni Hall (current Miss Queen of Queens and former Miss Gay Indiana); Bendovah Plenti (former Miss Gay Evansville​); Oriana Perón (show director, Scholar’s Keep & independent producer, The Back Door); and Chiq Van Dyke; with Fr. Kurt Messick, Ivy Tech Assistant Professor of Life & Physical Science, as host/emcee.

Past performers have included current RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Silky Nutmeg Ganache.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.