“It’s So Bisexual in Here!”: Big Red Moon Club’s Live Dating Show
Cornell University’s Big Red Moon Club has once again captivated the campus community, following their widely discussed “Is Pegging Gay?” debate. Just a week later, the club presented “Bisexual Pop the Balloon: A Live Queer Dating Show,” an event that drew a significantly larger crowd than anticipated.
A Venue Overrun with Enthusiasm
The event, initially planned for Goldwin Smith Hall’s G76, quickly outgrew the 200-seat capacity. Attendees filled the hall, lining the walls and even obstructing the projector. Surya Nawiana ’26 and Astrid “AJ” James ’27 hosted the evening, bringing a dynamic energy to the proceedings.
How the Game Worked
The premise of “Bisexual Pop the Balloon” was simple: contestants with balloons competed for the attention of a single participant. Questions, described as increasingly scandalous, were posed, and the contestant could “pop” a competitor’s balloon if they disliked the answer. Competitors also had the option to eliminate themselves. The event was held in collaboration with Perfect Match, setting a playful tone.
Round One: Abhishek’s Preferences
The first round featured 11 Cornellians vying for the attention of Abhishek Gurubaskaran ’27. Questions ranged from lighthearted (“Gay son or thot daughter?” – to which he answered “Gay son”) to more probing (“Have you ever been with anyone in the audience?” – answered with a slightly hesitant “No”). The first balloon popped was a self-elimination, triggered by Gurubaskaran’s declaration that he was “looking to lock [himself] down,” a sentiment not shared by all participants. He subsequently rejected a student majoring in economics, stating, “I don’t want a consultant,” and dismissed a competitor who suggested a bookstore as a first date, implying a lack of interest in reading.
Linda Fu and the Art of Indecision
The second round saw seven competitors seeking a date with Linda Fu ’27, known for her participation in the previous debate. Fu fielded questions with practiced ease, while her potential suitors largely responded with noncommittal answers like “both,” “I’m not sure,” or “I’m indecisive.” Host Nawiana remarked, “That was the most bisexual selection of answers I’ve ever heard in my 21 bisexual years of life.”
“Tinder in Real Life” and Emerging Connections
Following the main competition, those whose balloons had been popped participated in “Tinder in Real Life,” hosted by Ethan Luu ’27. Luu assessed competitors’ pick-up lines, swiping right or left in real time. Kieri Keys ’28 impressed both Luu and the audience with the line, “I think Spotify is broken because you weren’t listed as one of today’s top hottest singles,” and the pair celebrated with a kiss.
Polyamorous Possibilities and Throuples
The third round brought forth Jaimie Chen ’26 as the object of affection. A particularly awkward moment occurred when Emilee Vincent ’28 suggested ice skating and ice cream as a first date, prompting immediate rejection and a flurry of boos – though she attempted to clarify she didn’t mean Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Chen proposed a “polycule,” and the remaining three competitors enthusiastically accepted.
Marriage, Sunlight, and a Throuple
The final contestant, Mary Caitlin “MC” Cronin ’28, attracted more attention to competitor Kingsley Aaron-Onuigbo ’27. Aaron-Onuigbo initially expressed a desire for marriage, then softened his stance. After being rejected, he became the center of attention during “Tinder in Real Life,” ultimately forming a throuple, bringing the total polycule count to two. Nawiana commented, “Average bisexuals, they can’t decide on anything!”
According to Max Troiano ’28, the “pegging debate champion,” the Big Red Moon Club consistently succeeds in “bringing people out but bringing people together.” The club appears to be actively creating queer spaces on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the premise of “Bisexual Pop the Balloon?”
The event involved contestants with balloons competing for the affection of a single participant, who could eliminate competitors by popping their balloons based on their answers to questions.
Who hosted the event?
Surya Nawiana ’26 and Astrid “AJ” James ’27 hosted “Bisexual Pop the Balloon.”
Did any relationships form during the event?
Kieri Keys ’28 and Ethan Luu ’27 kissed after being paired during “Tinder in Real Life,” and Jaimie Chen ’26 formed a polycule with three competitors.
Given the enthusiastic response to these events, what kind of innovative social gatherings might the Big Red Moon Club organise next?