Guilford students let it all hang out at this year’s Coming Out Ball. Hosted by Guilford Pride, attendees are encouraged to “come as you aren’t.”The weather’s getting cold, and that means it’s time to take off your clothes and dance with the devil – and the Catholic schoolgirl – and your cross-dressing roommate.

On Friday, Nov. 16, Guilford Pride hosted the Coming Out Ball. The ball is, of course, the dance where people are encouraged to dress up, dress down, dress across, and generally show a lot of skin. The theme of the ball is “come as you aren’t,” which lends itself to various interpretations.

The most interesting part of the Coming Out Ball is seeing the outfits people came up with. A lot of guys like to cross-dress for the ball. This ranges from borrowing a friend’s skirt to full makeup, fake breasts, and stockings. Others take the opportunity to dress up in their Sunday best, or don some other outrageous or humorous costume. This year there were Roman Emperors, frat boys, and priests.

Some girls dressed like guys, as much as that is possible in this day and age, in baseball caps, baggy pants and boxer shorts, etc. I saw at least one clown in the mix. The majority of girls and guys opted for something risqué, whether that was lingerie, a slinky Halloween costume, or just not much of anything. There was no shortage of skin, black lace, or plaid school-girl skirts from either gender.

Then there are the people who didn’t dress up for the dance, like this reporter, who felt like a shmuck in his jeans and jacket.

There was as much variety in the dancing and socializing at the Making- err, Coming Out Ball as there was in the attire. Some stood outside talking, perhaps bobbing their heads to the music, hanging out next to the free snacks and contraceptives table. Others danced in a group with their friends, just having fun and acting goofy. And a lot of people engaged in the kind of dancing that might lead to a shotgun wedding.

While it may be shocking to some readers, there could have been some drinking going on. I saw a public safety officer heading to the bathroom to pour out a bottle of booze approximately the size of a Toyota Camry.

Not surprisingly, the night’s soundtrack also offered diversity, with styles of music ranging from hip-hop to techno to 90’s pop. All of it blasted at a volume that made me wonder whether the scratching and distortion came from the speakers or my ears.

All this variety illustrated just what the dance was about – the freedom to be yourself and have fun. At the Coming Out Ball, you can dress however you want without fear of being pigeon-holed or judged. I only know of one person who was mocked for their choice of dress, and that was me.