Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps

The Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps is a Chicago-based visual performance ensemble of gay male volunteers. The name is a play on the Reserve Officer Training Corps. The group has become a staple of gay events in Chicago. It also travels across the country to perform at various LGBT events.

The group formed in 1992 by Ron Rubright, Bruce Linsmeyer and Chuck Henson and was meant to provide light entertainment to gay pride parades that they felt were rather too serious. [cite web |last=Davenport |first=Misha |title=R.O.T.C. gives Pride Parade a twirl |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2007-06-22 |accessdate=2007-06-29 |url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/437150,WKP-News-pride22.article] dead link|date=September 2008 Their uniform borrows elements from military garb (khaki or camouflage, black boots) but then also includes camp elements: members are encourage to personalize their wardrobe. In addition, although the group marches in unison and performs synchronized movements, the music is generally techno, disco or a gay anthem. The group's performance consists of "a precision, military-style warm-up routine, and traditional routines to dance or disco music."cite web |url=http://www.rotcchicago.org/ |title=ROTC Official Website |accessdate=2007-06-29]

The group has inspired other versions in a number of cities. St Petersburg, Salt Lake City and Toronto each have a branch. In Ohio, the Flaggots are a similar group. In Boston the Lawn Chair Bears spoof the Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps' spoof: heavy-set men half-heartedly perform military-like routines with lawn chairs and then collapse into them.

See also

* Cheer, Dorothy, Cheer!

References

External links

* [http://www.rotcchicago.org/ Official Website]