“Welcome to the gayest show on Earth, at least in DeKalb!” said a schoolgirl-clad Ms.ThAnG as she announced the start of the ninth annual Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Gay Jam.

The Gay Jam, hosted by PRISM, kicked off the start to LGBT awareness month. The jam took place in a rainbow and flamingo decorated Diversions Lounge and consisted of a drag show and other talent acts including music duets, poetry and a comedy routine. A quartet of drag queens performing to “Lady Marmalade” from “Moulin Rouge” finished off the evening.

Drag shows have been a part of LGBT entertainment and history since 1969 when the gay community started speaking about their rights at New York City’s Stonewall Inn, said Lucy Andich, PRISM co-president.

Drag queens would speak in New York clubs about gay rights, and it is important to carry out that history, Andich said.

The events throughout the month serve to raise general awareness about the LGBT community and to let people know they are there as a support network, Andich said.

Junior sociology majors E.B. Slouka and Sarah Prange said they felt events like the Gay Jam may help make people less afraid of the gay community.

PRISM raised about $400 at the show and usually raise close to $1,000 over the month, Andich said. Proceeds go to the Ben Gordon Center.