What is Ballroom Culture? A Short Introduction

Ballroom's origin story reaches back to the time of the Harlem Renaissance, but the Ballroom scene we know today really took off in the 1970s.

In the early 1970’s, also referred to as the Golden era, the legendary trans drag queen Crystal LaBeija, began hosting balls specifically for Black people as a response to racism in New York’s larger downtown drag scene and soon after established the House of LaBeija.

After Crystal LaBeija formed the House of LaBeija, other houses soon followed: Chanel, Ebony, Extravaganza, Dupree, Pendavis, Corey, and LaWong.

So many of these houses were founded by Black trans women who created spaces of power, resistance and love.

Ballroom houses are structured to prepare its members for the balls and–most importantly– to serve as chosen families. Many Black queer and trans youth, renounced by their parents and shunned by their families and communities, have found safe harbor in the houses.

Houses have anointed ‘mothers’ and ‘fathers’ who guide and support their ‘children'. House parents become grandparents and godparents to the next generation, and ascend in the house’s hierarchy, becoming legends and, eventually icons.

Ballroom began in New York. In the different neighborhoods of the Village, Harlem, and the Christopher Street Piers. While Ballroom and New York have changed, New York is–always will be–its  Mecca. 

Some of the first balls were hosted at the Harlem YMCA in the 1970’s, as seen in this photograph by Gerard Gaskin.

Ballroom is now in Paris, Berlin, Moscow,  Tokyo, Mexico City, and Jerusalem, providing LGBTQ+ communities freedom, creativity and joy. Like Jazz and Hip Hop, Ballroom is part of the larger story of Black genius that has created cultural and global revolutions.

Popular culture has always taken from Ballroom's genius--in language, dance and fashion.Too often the taking is done without giving credit to the community. But it all belongs to Ballroom, and it's time to give honor to the culture.