High cheekbones, beautifully styled hair, wonderful smile and perfect makeup. Although always seen in drag and ball culture, there represent a very important part of the right to be yourself. The confidence that exudes out of the familiarity of the event and feeling of safety that it brings, for those who participate , is the most interesting and the most valued part of the event itself. The fluctuation of the movement while preforming and living Vogue, made a opened a window into the life of art and lifestyle that is drag.
Ball culture was first recognized in New York in the 1920s. But Harlem’s LGBTQ balls can be traced back to as early as 1869. , as stated in the Article by Meghan Giannotta, “What is ball culture? Examining NYC’s vibrant underground scene in ‘Pose’”:
“The underground ball gatherings meant a safe place for those primarily within the black and Latino communities who identified as LGBTQ.”.
Why is it important today, that we finally become aware of the generosity that the drag community gives us in a day to day life? By opening the doors of the community though social media, movies and literature, the vibrant outfits and pride stand as a beautiful symbol of braveness.
As the performances weren’t being held anymore only by white men putting on a show in drag, it broke the boundaries inflicted by race or gender. Everyone was the same, and everyone could compete for the prize. With its own unique structure of “houses” and “families”, it gave the opportunity to except ones sexual orientation and identity. As written in an Article named “Underground Ball Culture – Subcultures and Sociology” of Grinnell College:
“Many queer youth join balls at a young age, and sometimes live with their houses if they cannot safely live with their biological family. “These alternative families are led by “mothers,” who are mostly butch queens (gay men) or femme queens (transgender women) or “fathers,” who are mostly butch queens or butches (transgender men)” (Bailey 2011:367). Houseparents serve as the heads of the houses and are role models and mentors for their “children” (Bailey 2011:367). Children often take the surname of the house parent; for example Pepper LaBeija, a previous housemother of the House of LaBeija, changed her last name when she joined the house. The houses compete in balls together, developing a style of their own.”
SUNDANCE SELECTS
Drag, by existing, creates a figure that is much needed in today’s society. By recognizing the drag culture and giving it more space on the platforms that connect everyone, more tolerance and acceptance will be achieved. By understanding that we are all different, but also the same, it should make every individual proud that there is a freedom of choosing ones identity.