House of LaBeija

The Royal House of LaBeija is the first house of Ballroom founded by Crystal LaBeija and Lottie LaBeija in 1968. It was the first ballroom house to host benefits to raise awareness during the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic. [1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America.[2] In 1972, Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presented the 1st Annual "House of LaBeija Ball” at Up the Downstairs Case in Harlem, NY. This is thought to be the birth of house culture within the ballroom scene—as it is known today.[3] Houses serve as alternative families, primarily for gay, gender nonconforming and transgender youth and others who feel ostracized from conventional support systems.[4]

  1. ^ Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
  2. ^ Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.
  3. ^ Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'". Vice. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  4. ^ Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.