Ballroom Photographer Luna Luis Ortiz
Luna Luis Ortiz is an Icon and Legend in Ballroom since 1988. He also a Beloved Leader in HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities.
House of Khan Butch Queen Faces (2003) by Luna Luis OrtizBallroom Throwbacks/Destination Tomorrow
Luna has Taken and Preserved Hundreds of Ballroom Photos
"My job as an elder is to share and move the stories forward so that the new generation have a basis of the why."
I Want to be Remembered
In 1986, Luna contracted HIV at the age of 14. Soon after discovering his HIV status, he picked up his father's camera and began taking self-portraits. "I just wanted to take pictures of myself before I died of AIDS. I want people to remember me."
"I turned to photography because I wanted to leave something that said, oh, this kid once lived." Luna Luis Ortiz
Luna Khan and Harmonica Sunbeam (2002) by Luna Luis OrtizBallroom Throwbacks/Destination Tomorrow
In 1988, Luna was introduced to Ballroom
“I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: everything went from black and white to color. I had never seen people voguing.”
Luna's House Mother, the Pioneer Avis Pendavis
Avis Pendavis was among the founding Mothers of Ballroom, loved for how she nurtured and cared for her community and House members, especially during the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Willi Ninja and Luna Blahnik (2000) by Luna Luis OrtizBallroom Throwbacks/Destination Tomorrow
Willi Ninja and Luna
Luna was very close to the Godfather of Vogue, legend and icon Willi Ninja
Luna Captured the Images of so Many of the Pioneers of Ballroom
Janet the Planet Infiniti at Cafe con Leche (1992/1993) by Luna Luis OrtizBallroom Throwbacks/Destination Tomorrow
How I Photographed
"I would often call folks' names right before I took their photo." Luna Luis Ortiz
Luna Blahnik and Octavia St. Laurent Team Face Grand Prize (2002) by Luna Luis OrtizBallroom Throwbacks/Destination Tomorrow
Being a House Father
"The way I run the House of Khan as a parent came from my first parents: Hector Xtravaganza and Avis Pendavis. This is my commitment to passing the torch and keeping the stories and traditions alive. Everyone gets a turn in a way – though you have to make a name for yourself."
"Everything that I did is because I want to be remembered I want, you know, I want to leave something. I don't have kids. So that's my legacy is my art, my friends, the people I touched "
Malika Saar
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.