Queer burlesque performer and founder of Les Vixens burlesque troupe Ivy Les Vixen speaks at an event organized by UCF Planned Parenthood Generation Action in the Teaching Academy on Friday.
Victoria Garcia-Morales
The UCF Planned Parenthood Generation Action organization hosted a guest speaker, a local burlesque pioneer, to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity, confidence and wellness on Friday.
Held at the Teaching Academy in Room 202B from 6-8 p.m., the presentation showcased the journey of Ivy Les Vixen, a queer burlesque performer, and highlighted the importance of inclusivity, mental health awareness and gaining confidence in a challenging modern-day environment.
Ivy, who prefers to go by her stage name, is a UCF alumna who majored in advertising and public relations. She is also the founder and producer of Les Vixens, a queer burlesque company composed of 15 female performers that has been active for the past seven years.
“I’ve been performing since I was 19 years old in gay bars and noticed that there wasn’t a burlesque scene for queer women, only drag queens, and I wanted to change that,” Ivy said.
The UCF Planned Parenthood Generation Action organization table at its event in the Teaching Academy building on Friday. This event, featuring guest speaker Ivy Les Vixen, highlighted themes of body positivity, self-confidence and mental health awareness.
Victoria Garcia-Morales
Daniela Peinemann, senior anthropology major and PPGA president, said she first saw Ivy Les Vixen perform at Southern Nights Orlando.
“I then messaged her on Instagram asking if she would like to present at the event and she was happy to oblige,” Peinemann said.
Ivy said she has always been confident in herself, considering her background in theatre arts since she was a child.
“I’m very intrinsically motivated, and burlesque is such a beautiful art form because it is for everyone, especially when there is a queer audience,” Ivy said. “I could be bloated and not feeling well, but the audience gives me such positive energy that my confidence bounces right back.”
During the event, Ivy gave advice on how to boost self-esteem in any environment within the student community.
“If you can get some perspective and realize that it’s not that deep, and if anyone is judging you, they’re haters and you shouldn’t surround yourself with that negative energy,” she said. “Always be your authentic self.”
Within three months of performing as a burlesque performer, Ivy said she was traveling statewide five nights a week when she realized that she would need to set a certain criteria of top-tier performers to continue on the sapphic burlesque legacy.
“I try to hire full packages, they have to be queer and good performers since many people want to be a part of the troupe,” Ivy said. “Many of the performers train for special areas of expertise, but I just wing it and hope for the best.”
She also explained she chose to work exclusively with queer women to “create a loving space for queer people.”
“Sapphic burlesque highlights the ability for self-acceptance and confidence from an audience that appreciates authenticity,” Ivy said. “The troupe performs throughout Florida and hosts its annual Lavender Night event at the UCF Addition Financial Arena, which draws approximately 2,000 attendees to watch performers showcase talents including aerial artistry, fire dancing and burlesque.”
Students take selfies with guest speaker and UCF alumna Ivy Les Vixen after the Planned Parenthood Generation Action event in the Teaching Academy building on Friday.
Victoria Garcia-Morales
When it comes to presenting queer burlesque shows, Ivy has been producing shows out of pocket until she landed a sponsorship with Crew Health, an Orlando-based nonprofit organization that provides medical care and case management to people, with a specific LGBTQ+ focus.
“Crew Health offers money for traveling expenses, promotions and events discussing mental health awareness for the LGBTQ+ community at events hosted by the Les Vixens Burlesque troupe,” Ivy said.
During the event, Ivy emphasized the importance of taking care of mental health, specifically by taking breaks from social media. She said she spends her time away from social media by journaling, allowing her to unravel the cloudiness that may be in her brain, and exercising to release positive endorphins.
“Touch grass and move your body,” she said. “If queer people would take care of their mental health, we would be in a better position with the government and the community.”
UCF students who were in attendance laughed, expressed their own beliefs and asked questions about self-inclusion and gaining self-confidence in the modern world.
B Goldberg, junior psychology major, was in attendance at the event. Goldberg said they enjoyed the event and hopes events like these promote an “outside perspective to encourage common ground so people can come to a common ground and work together.”
“It’s important for universities to teach people about creating spaces for the LGBTQ+ community,” Goldberg said. “It is a disservice to the community to be avoiding these open dialogue conversations. It’s important for people to learn and have empathy for one another.”
Ivy Les Vixen said she hopes her platform encourages students to embrace their intrinsic confidence and authenticity within their everyday lives.
“I hope the students who were in attendance today end up feeling more confident going out into the world to support themselves in whatever career field and feel proud of who they are,” she said.