Dudes dress like ladies

Published 10:25 am Monday, February 20, 2012

Roe Naylor wears a dress and bow at the second Red, White and Pink fundraiser to benefit the Lyle Area Cancer Auction and American Heart Association. Photo by Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

More than 20 men got in touch with their feminine sides Saturday, but all for a good cause.

The second annual Red, White and Pink — an event where men dress in women’s clothing to seek donations for the American Heart Association and the Lyle Area Cancer Auction — at Oak Park Mall raised almost $2,600 Saturday, according to preliminary estimates.

About 27 men took to the runway, dancing to songs like “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” to help bring in the donations.

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“It’s definitely unique,” said Gary Ziegler, who’s been involved in the cancer auction for many years.

Ziegler — whose stage name was “Gorgeous Gary” Saturday — said the event is just the newest of a long list of creative fundraisers that have helped the cancer auction raise more than $1.6 million over 33 years.

Ziegler compared it to the Harley-Davidson raffle and Lucille Johnson Pool Tournament, two events that have surprised people and grown into two of the most profitable events for LAC