“RuPaul’s Drag Race” competitor Darius “DJ” Pierce, known as Shangela Laquifa Wadley, performed a Beyoncé medley at the second annual Drag Show.

The medley was part of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center’s NIU is Burning Part II: Drag Show and Vogue Ball Thursday at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom. Drag shows consist of men who impersonate and dress as women for entertainment. Vogue balls are a mixture of LGBTQ culture; started by drag queens in New York, they highlight Vogue, a dance form, and fashion runway.

Richard Moore, Campus Activities Board vice president of finance and eight-year Vogue Ball attendee, hosted the event and is known at the Vogue ball as Rykko Escada.

“The event is to create a safe space or environment so people can understand and acknowledge that being gay isn’t rude or bad and [the Drag Show/Vogue Ball] welcoming for all people — straight, gay, transgendered,” Moore said. “Anybody can come to this event and be inspired and benefit from them.”

Molly Holmes, Gender and Sexuality Resource Center director, worked with Moore to produce the event and said she wants the show to bring the NIU community together.

“I think that sometimes the LGBTQ community can be stereotyped or marginalized and a lot of people just don’t know, and so this opportunity brings people together in a fun way,” Holmes said. “But, we also do some educational moments to break down those barriers and build bridges under knowledge… .”

The show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a reality competition to find America’s next drag superstar, inspired members at the event. Pierce competed on season two and three of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Although he didn’t win the crown on the show, Pierce said he has continued playing a part in the LGBTQ community.

Pierce performed Thursday and held a diva’s workshop that centered around empowerment.

“I would say to every person out there that either looks up to me or finds inspiration in my journey … continue to be you,” Pierce said. “Be the best versions of yourself and then don’t be afraid to share that with other people… . Because when we can do that and just learn to love and respect other people, you don’t have to like what someone else is doing. But as long as you respect it and you can see their point of view as well, it’ll make this whole world a better place… .”