During June, Pride Month is celebrated worldwide to honor the LGBTQ+ community, its history, struggles, and achievements. Among the many facets of LGBTQ+ culture deserving recognition, the houses and ballroom culture stand out as vibrant, resilient, and profoundly influential.
To fully appreciate houses and ballroom culture, one must look at the origins of Pride Month. Ballroom culture took off in New York in the 1970s in different neighborhoods of the Village, Harlem, and the Christopher Street Piers as a response to the exclusion Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals faced in predominantly white drag balls. Some of the first balls were hosted in Harlem. This space created a safe haven for those seeking an outlet to freely express themselves and find a sense of family.
At the center of ballroom culture are the “houses,” which act as chosen families. These houses are led by “mothers” and “fathers,” typically older members who serve as mentors to their “children.” The energy within a house is deeply supportive, providing emotional and often financial support. For many, these houses serve as a family when their biological ones have rejected them due to their lifestyle.
The main event of ballroom culture is the balls, featuring competitions where “walkers” showcase their talent across different categories. These categories range from fashion to voguing to realness (the ability to pass as cisgender in society). Each ball is a spectacular event that highlights creativity, with walkers dedicating weeks or months to perfecting their performance. Winning a title at a ball brings significant honor to both the walker and their house.
Ballroom culture has left a lasting impression on mainstream media, particularly through voguing. The dance, which mimics modeling poses, gained mainstream popularity after Madonna’s “Vogue” was released in 1990. Additionally, the documentary film “Paris Is Burning” further highlighted ballroom culture and the challenges it faced in the 1980s.
In recent years, the ballroom scene has reached new levels of visibility. Series like “Pose” and “Legendary” have brought a layer of respect and recognition to the community. “Pose” became a fan favorite for its authentic portrayal of ballroom culture and the daily struggles LGBTQ+ individuals face. Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” album also paid homage to the community, incorporating ballroom culture into her music and performances.
Check out some of our favorite ballroom moments below:
