By Jennifer Baxter

This week students have been focused on creating an uplifting and diverse community on campus! Read about it in this week’s newsletter.

Haus of Terp creates community and space for drag on campus

By Davi Jacobs

In Fall 2024, Haus of Terp became the first student organization dedicated to drag performance at University of Maryland. 

The founder, David, a senior neuroscience major, partnered with the UMD Pride Alliance, a student-run organization that supports LGBTQ+ students on campus, to form the organization in order to give students a space to learn and create together. 

The practice of drag itself has been around for centuries, however modern drag culture began in the 20th century. 

“It’s exaggerated on purpose and is a critique of societal expectations of gender,” David said. “It’s a freeing way of saying I’m not bound by my gender. It’s a rebellion against being told you are a man or a woman and you have to perform these roles.”

Devin, a senior psychology major, embraces this rebellion as Devona Delight, an alter ego she created when she was younger and brought to life in college. 

“[Drag] allows people to go beyond what society is deeming their gender to be, and allows them to unleash what they are feeling in their heart,” Devona said. “People who are born male can put on that dress and put on that lip liner, wear that lip gloss, and put on a nice fluffy wig.”

Drag is also present in the form of drag kings who amplify masculinity. Drag king Danielle, a senior biology and Spanish major, said that they hope Haus of Terp can address the underrepresentation of other forms of drag.

Haus of Terp meets regularly at the LGBTQ+ Equity Center in Marie Mount Hall, collaborating with the Indigenous Futures Lab in Susquehanna Hall to provide workshops on major topics of the art form of drag to make it more accessible for students. 

Alex Zhao, a member and junior computer science major, joined the club as a spectator. 

“I started going to drag performances on campus and seeing how especially talented they are in dancing and the glamorous outfits,” Zhao said. ”I thought one day I wanted to try that myself.”

UMD students celebrate, learn about global Carnavals

By Danielle Ngamegni

The University of Maryland’s School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the program in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies hosted Global Carnaval 2026 on Tuesday teaching students about carnaval traditions around the world. 

Professors and students presented carnaval traditions from all over the world including Italy, Sardinia and a variety of cities in Brazil and Martinique.

Carnavals are annual pre-Lenten festivals celebrated all over the world that include different variations of street parties, parades and costumes, according to the UNESCO Courier. Professors that experienced carnavals growing up recounted their own stories.

“In my town in Sassari, the classic things that you get to do for the Carnaval in Italy, you get to dress up, you go to the square, you play with other kids, eat sweets and throw confetti,” UMD Italian lecturer Federica Soddu said.

Professors also explained the importance of understanding the deeper meaning and purpose of carnivals as a whole. Carnavals in Martinique became a major scene for the LGBTQ+ community to break free from social norms, according to Cécile Accilien, professor of French and Francophone Studies.  

“People need to understand the complexity of Carnival, and that Carnival is very layered, it’s important to understand the history of how carnival came to be, especially in the French speaking providence,” Accilien said.

Portuguese Lecturer Parker Brookie’s students also discussed Brazil’s carnivals, and how schools and businesses would close. The streets would also fill with and streets would fill with parties and tourist attractions.

During the event, traditional Brazilian street food was served, and workshops teaching Samba and masquerade eye mask creating stations were available to those in attendance. 

This event ultimately inspired students to attend more cultural events like it in the future. 

“Any type of party, I would love to go. I’ve never been, and I want to, but that’s a goal of mine, for sure,” said sophomore information science major Kevin Miele.

Featured Image: Devona Delight at the Haus Of Terp Student Drag Showcase at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on Dec. 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of Devona Delight.