GAYLETTER

Like every other gay teen who was born in the ’90s I watched Paris is Burning and thought “oh shit, how amazing!.” Shortly after seeing the documentary I discovered that I have sub-par rhythm and had to dance in a hybrid style of Edie Sedgwick, John Lydon and later James Chance (which I still do). My dreams of becoming the first Australian born, Singapore raised under-aged white boy in a house were crushed. Delusional? Yes but I’m smiling…and believe me when I say I don’t have one of those heinous VOGUE hats that is so popular with the Caucasian 20-something crowd. There is something so appealing about the House/Ballroom scene, which I’ve never quite understood — those involved often come from extremely brutal places, so why is everyone from the comfortable outside so drawn to them? Now we can hear from the participators exactly what was so damn charming and enticing about the original and current ballroom scenes.

Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art has arranged a panel discussion featuring multiple generations from the Ballroom scene. The aim of the panel discussion is to investigate the iconic House/Ballroom scene in terms of family, community and home. Panelists include: The Pioneer Icon Junior Labeija, The Pioneer Icon Michael Dupree, The Icon Sean Ebony, The Legendary Mariah Lopez and The Up and Coming Janovia Garçon.

‘A House is My Home’ is presented in partnership with the “Queers in Exile: the Unforgotten Legacies of LGBTQ Homeless Youth” exhibit, curated by Coalition for Queer Youth founder, Alexis Heller.

Photographer — Gerard Gaskin will also be exhibiting his photographs from the House/Ballroom scene, featuring over 20 years worth of images in fact. This is going to be an incredibly fascinating event, and I expect very popular so plan ahead. RSVP here.

Free, Thursday, July 25th, 6:00PM-8:30PM, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, 26 Wooster St. NY, NY.