The Ballroom scene (also known as the Ballroom community, Ballroom culture, or just Ballroom) is an African-American and Latino underground LGBTQ+ subculture. Its origins can be found in drag balls of the mid-19th century United States, such as those hosted by William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved Black man in Washington D.C.. By the early 20th century, integrated drag balls were popular in cities such as New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. In the mid-20th century, as a response to racism in integrated drag spaces, the balls evolved into house ballroom, where Black and Latino attendees could "walk" in a variety of categories for trophies and cash prizes. Most participants in ballroom belong to groups known as "houses", where chosen families of friends form relationships and communities separate from their families of origin, from which they may be estranged.[1][2] The influence of ballroom culture can be seen in dance, language, music, and popular culture, and the community still exists today.
- ^ Podhurst, L.; Credle J. (June 10, 2007). "HIV/AIDS risk reduction strategies for Gay youth of color in the "house" community. (Meeting Abstracts)". Newark: U.S. National Library of Medicine. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
- ^ Stuart, Baker (January 1, 2011). Voguing and the house ballroom scene of New York City 1989–92. Soul Jazz Records. ISBN 9780955481765. OCLC 863223074.