FOX5 investigates why some D.C. special events—including D.C.'s traditional Halloween drag event, the Dupont "High Heel" race—aren't forced to pay the city fees for the D.C. police officers employed as security for the parades. Kristopher Baumann, Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police's Labor Committee, suggests that the city money used to subsidize the parties might be better spent, like, address the murder rate. [Via Metro Weekly]

Last night, The New Gay editor Zack Rosen set out to determine once and for all whether all those heteros who flock to the Dupont High Heel Race every year are there to support the gay community, or just mock all the queens in dresses. This year, the pre-Halloween drag queen race was pushed into the political arena by a little administrative switch: Instead of a parade permit, the race secured a First Amendment permit, shifting the balance a bit from party to protest. So, are people who love watching gay guys stumble around in stripper heels as enthusiastic about supporting marriage equality? According to Rosen's findings: Kinda.

Tomorrow, as per tradition, hundreds of drag queens will race down 17th Street between R and Church Streets NW. According to Metro Weekly, the 24th annual Dupont High Heel Race will see a couple of changes this year: One, you won't be able to drink beer outside anymore. And two, it's political this time.

Metro Weekly delivers the bad news: This go-around, the "traditional beer garden adjacent JR.'s" will be closed due to inclement weather. In place of beer, however, this year's High Heel Race will provide racers and on-lookers with a sense of purpose! Will O'Bryan reports:

the event is now being run under a First Amendment permit rather than a parade permit, reflective of the event's gay identity. That distinction clears the way for street closures and a police presence. Loosely speaking, it's the difference between a political rally and a block party.

"Until we have complete equality and people want to show up at gay events, they need to realize we don't have the same rights," says [Dave]  Perruzza [vice president of JR.'s]. "The [volunteers'] shirts will probably say, 'Equality for Everyone.' It's the High Heel March for Equality. It's a gay event, put on by gay people."

It's unclear why the permit switcheroo was necessary—the parade has run for years with street closures and a police presence. Whatever the rationale, the designation may help drum up support for a pending bill that would recognize same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia. So, who's running for domestic partnerships?

Photo by Darrow Montgomery

"I don't think that is my calling, to be a drag queen," said Rozenberg, who is currently applying to law schools where he plans to study international financial law next fall.

Drag-queen-until graduation Rozenberg will be shedding a lot of ruffles, come law school: he's also a director and performer for G.W.'s annual production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Trouble viewing? Try the youtube version.

In case you haven't signed up to volunteer for the high heel race—or run it yourself—you can take in all the ostentatious glory of this pre-Halloween drag tradition tonight between P and S Streets on 17th Street. The parade up and down 17th (which will be closed) begins around 7 p.m.; the race starts at 9 p.m., and lasts about 15 minutes.

Photo of last year's race by Poldavo (Alex)

While controlling thousands of intoxicated onlookers gathered to cheer on a horde of fabulously costumed, precariously footed sprinting men might seem like a tricky task, Perruzza insists the job is an easy one. "The volunteers are there to supplement a large police presence," says Perruzza, who adds that this year's race route will be extended slightly to help ease crowding. The longer route will require even more non-running bodies—Perruzza says he's confirmed about 50 volunteers but is looking to sign up 100 more before the race, slated for Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Volunteers are essential to the yearly juggernaut, which is owned by no one and which benefits charity. This year, the event's proceeds will go to Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets, the event's sole sponsor. "You might see some guy in an Absolut dress running down the street, but it's probably just some gay guy who like Absolut," says Perruzza.

In contrast to the extravagant costuming of the race's participants, volunteers will wear t-shirts. Those interested in helping run the high heel race—without running it themselves—can contract Perruzza at heelvolunteer@aol.com.