Sophomore Christopher Ramsay is known around campus as someone who refuses to conform. A psychology major minoring in biology with a pre-med concentration, Ramsay has been making waves with his wide repertoire of extracurricular activities and with his drag alter-ego “Rama.”
Raised in Westchester County, New York, Ramsay attended John Jay High School and found himself drawn to Geneseo. “I knew it was a good school,” Ramsay said. “It had a good reputation, it was really cost-effective and it was a good choice for me.”
Ramsay is extremely involved in the Geneseo community, acting as a passionate e-board member for the Minority Association for Pre-Health Students, Pride Alliance member, Letchworth Dining Hall employee, Gamma Chi Epsilon member and researcher with Distinguished Teaching Professor of psychology Ganie DeHart. In addition, Ramsay will be a Resident Assistant in the gender-neutral Genesee Hall next semester.
While Ramsay’s calendar is extremely packed, he remains committed to attending events in drag as “Rama” to support LGBTQ+ causes. “I helped organize ‘Trans? Fine by me’ and participated in Drag Ball,” he said.
March 8 marked the one-year anniversary of the first time Ramsay appeared publicly in drag. “I do drag because I can do whatever I want,” he said. “Just because I’m a guy doesn’t mean I can’t dress like a girl ... it’s a big stab to society.”
Ramsay emphasized the idea of self-love and explained that he attempts to bring friendship and an open community feeling to the Geneseo campus. “There’s always someone out there that loves you,” he said. “Anyone can come up at talk to me if they see me—or Rama—around campus. If you’re having a bad day, just come talk to me. Everyone needs a friend.”
Aside from his passion for bettering the school community, Ramsay also enjoys many leisure activities. “I just started watching ‘Gossip Girl,’” he said. He also enjoys horror films, particularly the Insidious saga and The Conjuring. He has also been an “avid bowler since high school.” In addition, Ramsay refers to himself as a “psychology junkie.” “The brain and how it works, it just fascinates me,” he said.
Ramsay stressed that above everything, he strives to promote social equality on the Geneseo campus and plans to continue to fight against social norms by dressing in drag. “I’m all for social justice,” he said. “People shouldn’t be treated differently because of the way that they are.”