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[MUSIC]
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[MUSIC]
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The categories are face, woman's runway,
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Vogue femme, butch queen up in drags,
femme queen sex siren.
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Are you ready?
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Are you bitches ready to walk for me?
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Bring it to the runway now.
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[MUSIC]
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Just sweet, mysterious.
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[MUSIC]
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Bring it to the runway now.
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[MUSIC]
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Just sweet, mysterious.
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How I look.
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[MUSIC]
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The ball people are black, gay people
that were kept out of art society.
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And they made their own arena.
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The ballroom scene is a beautiful place.
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And it's the only place where gay men and
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gay women and transgenders can all
come together as one and
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do something that they can enjoy doing
together as a community.
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The history of balls, how Marie
Antoinette had balls and
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she would toss diamonds to the winner.
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The houses popped up in the early 70s.
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House of LaBeija was the first house.
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After Paris is burning, after
Madonna's vole,
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then people started creating houses.
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There's been over 100 houses
created so far.
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[MUSIC]
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A new school legend would be somebody
that began their career in 1990.
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Anybody from 1989 and back is old school.
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So icons are those people who go
way back, 1989 and before.
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[MUSIC]
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There's three ways that you
get a ballroom name.
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Original name, a designer name,
and a contrived name.
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House of LaBeija was the first house.
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In the 60s, there were groupings
of people.
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The Spanish drag queens were
from Spanish Harlem.
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I think they were called the
Delightful Ladies.
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And then they had the black drag queens
were called the La Chanel's.
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And they used to go to balls and battle
against each other, but
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only as those two groups,
not as the house.
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LaBeija, LaBeija, LaBeija, LaBeija.
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The House of LaBeija will rain, darling.
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It will always rain and
there is no shade.
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And for those of you that don't like
it, learn it and learn it well.
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[MUSIC]
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01:03:53,429 --> 01:03:55,631
We were friends before we got
on that runway, but
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once we hit that pinnacle
baby, you see me,
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I see you, you don't see me,
I don't see you.
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May the best man win.
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[MUSIC]
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A perfect ball would be hot performers,
great categories, and
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a great setting, and a great opening
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presentation by the house that's
pulling it off.
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[MUSIC]
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The balls are set up where you have a
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panel of judges who score
you from one to ten,
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ten being the highest.
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Balls have maybe 20 categories,
some have 50.
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These new cities that are operating
balls like Detroit, Chicago,
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Atlanta, they accept it real quick.
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New York gave Philadelphia a hard way to
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go when they first came onto
the ball scene
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in 1989.
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[MUSIC]
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When I started walking balls, this was
years ago and they were up in Harlem.
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It was very low key.
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The balls used to start around four
o'clock in the morning sometimes.
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[MUSIC]
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Used to come out at nine o'clock in the
morning, people were bored of work.
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[MUSIC]
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The categories vary from best best man to
best best woman to female body to male
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body to transsexuals trying to walk and
pretend that they are not a man.
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[MUSIC]
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Some of the winnings are cashed and
some are just trophies.
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The presence that we carry, the aura
that we have around us,
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it takes charge that you know that
it's like if you're floating,
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like you're an angel and you just walked in
and you're the most beautiful thing in
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the world.
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There's a language involved in
the drag ball world,
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certain words that are not relevant
to anything else.
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There's certain type of music,
there's certain dress,
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there's modes of character, behavior,
look, style, the name system.
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To me the ball is an outlet.
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It is a soap box for anybody who wants to
express themselves in the gay community
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that may not be able to do it at home.
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Thus far that's where the houses come from
and you have parents, mothers, and
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fathers.
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The purpose of the mother and the father
of a house is find the right kids to
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compete with, teach them, work with them,
care for them like if they were actually
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our own.
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[APPLAUSE]
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I'm the legendary icon, Kenny,
Misha, Ebony, and
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I'm just here to tell you a little about
the ballroom history and
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how legislation for stars developed.
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It was that Ira and Dwayne Aphrodite
Ball at the baseline.
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They were running, they were
pressed for time and
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people was coming into the ballroom
and the ballroom was packed.
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So they came to me and got very Kenny.
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Could you do something that would keep the
kids occupied until we're ready for
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grand march?
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So I said, okay, so I went out there and
I told the DJ, give me a beat.
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And while I was sitting there, I said, well,
I wanna introduce something new to
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the people, something we're gonna call
legends, statements, and stars.
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By having the roll call of legends, statements,
and stars gives everyone a
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chance to see who are some of the competitors
in the ballroom scene.
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[MUSIC]
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Because it was a matter of need, they
created this house system.
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[MUSIC]
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It became a creative outlet to
live that superstar,
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supermodel moment under extreme
competitive circumstances.
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[MUSIC]
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Some live this fantasy world every day.
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Some take their talents to the real world,
like Jose, Tracy, and Willie.
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And some take it as a form of entertainment
and leave it like that.
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[MUSIC]
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Living out on the edge prepares
them for life.
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And through their talents and achievements,
they build their self esteem.
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[MUSIC]
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At balls, the entire community has the
opportunity to participate and
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to showcase their talents on the runway.
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[MUSIC]
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When I take straight people to balls,
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I have to let them know that there are
men in there that look like women.
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And it is an illusion and sometimes they
see someone who looks good and
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they'll say, Jamie, she looks good,
can you get her number for me?
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And I'll have to let them know, nice
and easy, honey, she's a man.
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[SOUND]
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I'm 40 years old right now and I think
I'm aging pretty gracefully.
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That's why I tell these girls when it
comes to being the person that I am,
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say after us, cuz you'll be
happy in the long run.
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Hey, hi, Buffy, this is Picasso,
extravaganza.
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He's the next time I do.
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Of course, just like mother.
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[MUSIC] [SOUND]
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I was chosen by only one person to become
the mother of this house and
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that was the mother herself, Angie.
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There was no question if it's about it, as
far as they were gonna have a meeting to
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see who the mother was.
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Angie already knew that she
wanted me as mother.
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You go from boy to femme queen.
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I started taking hormones
at the age of 16.
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In 18 I got castrated.
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You go through electrolysis.
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You have a lot of hair in your face.
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I didn't have peach buds, so I
just took care of that.
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And once you get castrated, everything
falls in place.
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So if you're a little skinny boy
and you're still feminine,
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you get castrated, you're
basically a woman.
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Makeup comes with it from within me.
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What I wanna create in this face,
what colors I wanna add,
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what beauty I wanna bring out.
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Like Octavia always say,
that wicked beauty.
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My stages of transformation
was I was a boy.
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Name?
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Name?
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You want my name?
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My boy's name?
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Never.
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[LAUGH]
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I would never give you my boy's name,
and I'm a junior, mind you.
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[MUSIC]
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The gay kids and different
house families,
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we wanna do this because this
keeps us together.
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Angie always told me, keep the flame
going, don't let it die.
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You know, so I try to do
that for my house.
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The House of Extravaganza was
our first Latino house.
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You just have to look that essence.
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We see it, we feel it, we smell it.
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[MUSIC]
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Why does it end up so many talented
people in the ball community?
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Because it just comes out.
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People wanna be creative.
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People wanna show what they can do.
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[MUSIC]
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Do you feel comfortable with
your sexuality?
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My God, you just don't know
how comfortable.
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I am so comfortable, I am happy.
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[LAUGH] Very comfortable.
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To be a film queen and to come off,
to come off unclockable,
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that is over, that is the complete over.
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[MUSIC]
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How we receive our status is
through being drags.
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From drags converting into transsexuals, from
transsexuals converting ourselves and
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being labeled film queens because we
are what people come to see.
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[BLANK_AUDIO]
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I am truly proud to be what I am.
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I wouldn't be a female, I wouldn't
be a man if I had the choice.
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And God willing, if I have to
come back on this earth,
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I wanna come back a third gender.
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I refuse to come back anything else because
I am so in tuned with who I am.
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[BLANK_AUDIO]
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They are afraid of me because I'm much more
extraordinary, I'm much more exciting,
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I'm much more beautiful, I'm
much more enchanting.
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I have powers of a man and the charm
of a woman and it's dangerous.
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Octavia is my first gay daughter.
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[LAUGH]
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That little bitch used to
give me a hard time.
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[BLANK_AUDIO]
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I'm strong and I keep saying the devil
is always trying ways to make me
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feel like I'm nothing and
I won't allow it.
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[MUSIC]
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The day that you're born, a candle
is lit to guide and
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protect you, to give you wisdom and wit.
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01:13:19,294 --> 01:13:22,398
The past you must choose wisely,
you must follow them right.
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01:13:23,165 --> 01:13:26,869
It's up to you to choose the past into
the darkness or into the light.
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Beyond sight, body and soul,
a power is passed.
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God's powerful voices shall
reveal thy task.
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If you should succeed in life,
your task has just begun.
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01:13:39,882 --> 01:13:45,654
For you shall now know God has claimed
you to be the chosen one.
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01:13:46,522 --> 01:13:48,690
Transsexuals was a New York City deal.
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I was only 18 and Carmen was 19.
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01:13:52,828 --> 01:13:59,234
This is me in 1985, that's Cindy Crawford,
that's me, that's Diane Dewitt.
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01:13:59,835 --> 01:14:06,542
The doctors were better, the surgeons were
better, the hormones were better.
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01:14:07,075 --> 01:14:10,512
And the transsexuals were considered the
most beautiful in the world.
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01:14:11,413 --> 01:14:16,452
So because of this, lots of transsexuals
from other countries was coming here
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01:14:16,452 --> 01:14:20,456
because where they from, they weren't getting
the satisfaction of becoming women
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01:14:20,456 --> 01:14:21,156
as they were.
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01:14:22,257 --> 01:14:26,361
But when I was growing up, there
weren't many transsexuals,
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there were more third genders.
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And this is what I was brought
up to learn.
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Now there are very little third genders
because half of them have already died
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from AIDS because of their lack of education,
because of their lack of family
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values, because of their lack of morals
and principles and family and
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01:14:43,278 --> 01:14:44,079
friends support.
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These people had no knowledge of anything
and anything they had to learn.
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They had to learn themselves and some
of them had to die learning it.
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A lot of these girls think that if they
get a vagina or they go to some doctor
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and let them cut off their penises and make
it into a hole, that they can live
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the lives as a woman and they can get
married and maybe adopt children.
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This is every transgender's fantasy,
to have a rich white man.
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I don't understand that.
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But they fail to realize truth
does not change.
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No matter how much you cut it up, no
matter how much you camouflage it,
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no matter how much you deny it,
truth cannot change.
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And that sends them over into a self-destructive
pattern after they've
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decided to do the things
in their life and
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01:15:35,764 --> 01:15:39,268
they realize that now after
the operation,
240
01:15:40,502 --> 01:15:46,642
they're nothing as opposed before they were
special and no one was to help them
241
01:15:46,708 --> 01:15:47,609
recognize that.
242
01:15:48,043 --> 01:15:53,782
No one was around to let them know
what you are is magnificent.
243
01:15:55,884 --> 01:16:05,394
You're so busy fighting, hating yourself because
society has made you believe that
244
01:16:05,394 --> 01:16:11,833
you are nothing, that you actually became
nothing by having this operation.
245
01:16:12,034 --> 01:16:31,553
Me being a third gender, I
don't know what it
246
01:16:31,553 --> 01:16:35,023
is to be a man as far as a
physical attribute.
247
01:16:35,657 --> 01:16:38,193
I never looked like a man and trust me my
248
01:16:38,193 --> 01:16:41,596
whole life I've tried until
it got to a point
249
01:16:41,663 --> 01:16:44,933
where I had to accept myself for
who I am and what I am.
250
01:16:44,933 --> 01:16:46,601
I don't know what it's like
to grow a mustache.
251
01:16:47,102 --> 01:16:48,737
I don't know what it's like
to grow a beard.
252
01:16:49,304 --> 01:16:51,039
I don't know what it's like to be big.
253
01:16:51,039 --> 01:16:54,409
I don't know what it's like to
have a muscular body.
254
01:16:54,943 --> 01:16:57,479
And trust me my whole life
I have worked at it.
255
01:16:59,081 --> 01:17:03,018
I couldn't stand myself for being this
freak of nature that everybody's so
256
01:17:03,385 --> 01:17:06,321
viciously reminded me of every
day of my life.
257
01:17:06,622 --> 01:17:09,558
When I was growing up, balls
meant something.
258
01:17:10,225 --> 01:17:11,660
It meant that you were the best.
259
01:17:12,127 --> 01:17:13,795
It made you work hard at everything.
260
01:17:14,262 --> 01:17:18,133
It taught you about discipline
and respecting
261
01:17:18,133 --> 01:17:21,903
yourself and having ambitions
to do something
262
01:17:21,903 --> 01:17:23,605
that you thought would be impossible.
263
01:17:25,607 --> 01:17:31,980
Third gender is basically
you're born with
264
01:17:31,980 --> 01:17:35,717
more female hormones than
male and you don't
265
01:17:35,751 --> 01:17:37,686
have to do anything to make yourself look
266
01:17:37,686 --> 01:17:40,856
like a woman because only
God knows you're
267
01:17:40,856 --> 01:17:42,958
a man but you look just like a girl.
268
01:17:43,425 --> 01:17:45,460
People are still concerned about what's
269
01:17:45,460 --> 01:17:48,163
between my legs instead of knowing
and I said to him
270
01:17:48,163 --> 01:17:49,865
you know we could just be friends.
271
01:17:50,265 --> 01:17:52,267
He was even too conservative
to be my friend.
272
01:18:05,714 --> 01:18:12,387
I don't understand people
and how weak and
273
01:18:12,387 --> 01:18:16,258
insecure men are or women
are that they can't
274
01:18:16,258 --> 01:18:19,094
even confront me as an individual without
275
01:18:19,094 --> 01:18:21,196
looking at me as some sort
of sex toy that
276
01:18:21,196 --> 01:18:22,664
they're attracted to and
they're trying to
277
01:18:22,664 --> 01:18:25,701
avoid it by treating me like
I'm absolutely
278
01:18:25,901 --> 01:18:26,401
nothing.
279
01:18:26,668 --> 01:18:28,437
And I was totally overwhelmed.
280
01:18:28,637 --> 01:18:30,405
It really took me for a loop.
281
01:18:32,240 --> 01:18:36,144
I'm strong and I keep saying you know
I can't let that bring me down.
282
01:18:38,380 --> 01:18:46,855
When you're young you have no fear because
you're naive to a lot of things.
283
01:18:47,389 --> 01:18:50,392
But as I started making money in the
284
01:18:50,392 --> 01:18:53,895
fashion business and became
more and more popular
285
01:18:54,496 --> 01:19:03,472
slowly an insecurity set in is today's a day
that people will find out about Tracy
286
01:19:03,772 --> 01:19:05,841
and who she really is.
287
01:19:06,508 --> 01:19:09,611
And if so how will they accept that?
288
01:19:14,983 --> 01:19:19,421
Back in the 70s I started
out as a model and
289
01:19:19,421 --> 01:19:22,390
I was discovered by Irving
Penn and my first
290
01:19:22,524 --> 01:19:25,994
contract was with Clerol
and I was on their
291
01:19:25,994 --> 01:19:29,397
hair color boxes and I signed
another contract
292
01:19:29,498 --> 01:19:31,967
with Ultra Sheen Cosmetics.
293
01:19:37,305 --> 01:19:40,041
The third contract that I
signed here in New
294
01:19:40,041 --> 01:19:45,180
York was with the Avon skincare
products when
295
01:19:45,180 --> 01:19:48,316
they were promoting a new line
for women of color.
296
01:19:49,084 --> 01:19:51,853
I lasted for at least two
and a half years
297
01:19:51,853 --> 01:19:55,791
in New York City before someone
actually found
298
01:19:55,857 --> 01:20:00,462
out and what happened was a
part of the history.
299
01:20:00,762 --> 01:20:01,863
The doors closed.
300
01:20:22,517 --> 01:20:25,554
A house is like a family you know a home.
301
01:20:26,221 --> 01:20:28,156
I mean for us it's always been that.
302
01:20:28,156 --> 01:20:33,028
I mean we always have been and tried
to be very family orientated.
303
01:20:33,428 --> 01:20:35,363
Whereas okay this one doesn't
have a place
304
01:20:35,363 --> 01:20:38,466
to go here come with me
you know you don't
305
01:20:38,466 --> 01:20:41,002
have an outfit here wear
this or don't have
306
01:20:41,002 --> 01:20:42,837
any money to get into the
ball or for whatever
307
01:20:42,938 --> 01:20:46,107
here you know you're hungry here
you know let's eat.
308
01:20:46,775 --> 01:20:49,778
A lot of kids you know their
parents don't
309
01:20:49,778 --> 01:20:52,547
accept the lifestyle that
they've chosen to
310
01:20:52,547 --> 01:20:55,850
live and which is where we come in and we
311
01:20:55,850 --> 01:20:58,453
try to we try to feel voids
for each other.
312
01:21:01,756 --> 01:21:04,125
I may have an emptiness
inside of me maybe
313
01:21:04,125 --> 01:21:06,895
of a of a brother that I never had one of
314
01:21:06,895 --> 01:21:09,297
my dad's brothers will fill
in you know to
315
01:21:09,297 --> 01:21:12,601
the fullest and it'll make
me feel like wow
316
01:21:12,601 --> 01:21:13,535
it's really my family.
317
01:21:15,070 --> 01:21:17,305
I'm all about love peace and respect.
318
01:21:17,739 --> 01:21:20,609
I love helping people and
that's what makes
319
01:21:20,609 --> 01:21:23,411
me you know want to come
back besides just
320
01:21:23,878 --> 01:21:26,314
bogging dancing and carrying on because
321
01:21:26,314 --> 01:21:29,351
these people supported me and
you know they gave
322
01:21:29,351 --> 01:21:32,754
me a attention and love and
respect and that's
323
01:21:32,754 --> 01:21:35,257
what I usually don't get in
the outside world.
324
01:21:37,792 --> 01:21:42,797
A house is an organization
more like a gang
325
01:21:42,797 --> 01:21:47,035
it's a gay gang they protect
each other they
326
01:21:47,035 --> 01:21:49,237
watch each other's backs it's a really
327
01:21:49,237 --> 01:21:52,674
good place good you know people
to be with and
328
01:21:52,674 --> 01:21:59,314
it's very important to know who legends are
because they teach you how it's done.
329
01:22:00,081 --> 01:22:02,684
I think I'm like one of the
youngest people
330
01:22:02,684 --> 01:22:05,220
of my age and I was like
really doing it up
331
01:22:05,253 --> 01:22:07,722
in the ballroom scene and
I'm bragging but
332
01:22:07,722 --> 01:22:10,659
I think it's true and it makes me kind of
333
01:22:10,659 --> 01:22:15,096
feel good because you know like I have
people out in public oh that's Roxy.
334
01:22:15,563 --> 01:22:17,465
A lot of kids don't get along with their
335
01:22:17,465 --> 01:22:19,901
parents so we're like foster
parents so they're able
336
01:22:19,901 --> 01:22:21,803
to come talk to us about their problems
337
01:22:21,803 --> 01:22:24,506
and we like to give them guidance
in life too
338
01:22:24,739 --> 01:22:27,876
like making sure they have a job making
sure they go to school.
339
01:22:31,413 --> 01:22:34,182
My advice to parents with a child like
340
01:22:34,182 --> 01:22:38,953
Octavia is not to fight them
it's not going to help
341
01:22:39,688 --> 01:22:43,058
help them in every way and love
them as they are.
342
01:22:49,197 --> 01:22:51,266
I call my mom I'll get in contact with my
343
01:22:51,266 --> 01:22:54,035
father and we always start and
end our conversations
344
01:22:54,169 --> 01:22:56,304
with I love you and that is right there
345
01:22:56,304 --> 01:22:58,773
just I love that because I
need that support in
346
01:22:58,773 --> 01:22:59,240
my life.
347
01:22:59,674 --> 01:23:02,277
I would do anything for her because
she's done everything for me.
348
01:23:03,178 --> 01:23:09,851
She's given me inspiration why because my mother's
wheelchair bound but she's never
349
01:23:09,851 --> 01:23:10,785
stopped her.
350
01:23:12,253 --> 01:23:14,356
The first ball I ever walked she
was there to support.
351
01:23:15,156 --> 01:23:17,759
It was my sophomore year 1995 roughly
352
01:23:17,759 --> 01:23:22,163
February and when I ran away
from my mother and for
353
01:23:22,263 --> 01:23:25,700
that whole year of 1995 she
was so upset at
354
01:23:25,700 --> 01:23:27,535
me she couldn't believe
that her baby left
355
01:23:27,635 --> 01:23:30,405
her and I felt bad that I did that to her
356
01:23:30,405 --> 01:23:33,174
but I had to do it because
I wanted to follow
357
01:23:33,541 --> 01:23:35,877
my dreams I wanted to educate myself
358
01:23:35,877 --> 01:23:37,779
better and I felt like I was
going to be able to
359
01:23:37,779 --> 01:23:38,646
do that in New York.
360
01:23:38,980 --> 01:23:41,583
My own family had thrown me out and you
361
01:23:41,583 --> 01:23:46,054
know they weren't really you
know my parents or
362
01:23:46,054 --> 01:23:48,356
my brothers and sisters but
to me they were
363
01:23:48,356 --> 01:23:50,525
you know in life you learn
that your friends
364
01:23:50,525 --> 01:23:56,664
are your family and they're the ones
who made me who I am today.
365
01:23:57,632 --> 01:23:58,967
My dad on the other hand was a little
366
01:23:58,967 --> 01:24:01,603
rough on me he didn't understand
what was going
367
01:24:01,603 --> 01:24:03,705
on too much but he's fine now.
368
01:24:03,705 --> 01:24:09,644
My mom always knew you know my dad also
369
01:24:09,644 --> 01:24:13,815
even though it was it was never
discussed never
370
01:24:14,582 --> 01:24:16,184
never been disrespected either.
371
01:24:16,451 --> 01:24:20,755
My father was black he was
a Muslim and he
372
01:24:20,755 --> 01:24:22,624
was very open-minded he was
in the military
373
01:24:22,624 --> 01:24:24,659
he traveled the world he's
been around the
374
01:24:24,659 --> 01:24:26,394
globe so he was very open-minded
as far as
375
01:24:26,428 --> 01:24:31,266
friends they accepted me right away so I had
a pretty pretty easy life as far as my
376
01:24:31,266 --> 01:24:33,535
parents were concerned they were
very supportive of me.
377
01:24:33,535 --> 01:24:35,270
After seven years of being a transsexual
378
01:24:35,270 --> 01:24:37,505
that's when I received the respect
and the love for
379
01:24:37,505 --> 01:24:38,640
my mom and my dad.
380
01:24:43,111 --> 01:24:44,612
I get a lot of support more
from my mother
381
01:24:44,612 --> 01:24:46,381
and my brother more or less
than my father
382
01:24:46,381 --> 01:24:47,916
but he do accept my homosexuality.
383
01:24:53,955 --> 01:24:57,892
I have always been and always
will be her daughter.
384
01:24:59,294 --> 01:25:01,463
I remember the first person
in my family I
385
01:25:01,463 --> 01:25:03,865
told that I was gay was
my sister Michelle
386
01:25:03,865 --> 01:25:09,037
and I used the example of
a TV program that
387
01:25:09,037 --> 01:25:12,173
was on there was a character
who was gay and
388
01:25:12,173 --> 01:25:17,078
then I had to explain to my younger sister
that I'm like Jodi it was called Soap.
389
01:25:25,753 --> 01:25:28,089
Parents that have children that are going
390
01:25:28,089 --> 01:25:30,592
through transformation is
to give them all
391
01:25:30,592 --> 01:25:33,595
the love and all the support.
392
01:25:34,229 --> 01:25:39,234
You don't give them love and support
you're gonna lose them.
393
01:25:39,834 --> 01:25:41,536
They're just gonna go wild
they're gonna be
394
01:25:41,536 --> 01:25:44,172
lost jewels they're gonna
need all the love
395
01:25:44,172 --> 01:25:46,574
all the support that you can give them.
396
01:25:50,178 --> 01:25:52,680
When I was rock bottom and I had no money
397
01:25:52,680 --> 01:25:54,983
nowhere to go I had to do
what I had to do
398
01:25:54,983 --> 01:25:56,017
in order to maintain.
399
01:25:58,620 --> 01:26:01,222
Angie mother infinity she
has helped me so
400
01:26:01,222 --> 01:26:03,491
much even when I didn't have
a place to stay
401
01:26:03,491 --> 01:26:05,660
she she was like come here
come to my house
402
01:26:05,660 --> 01:26:08,897
she gave me my first hormone
shot so that's
403
01:26:08,897 --> 01:26:09,297
the mother.
404
01:26:11,900 --> 01:26:16,204
I think I make a good mother I support my
kids I try to guide them the right way.
405
01:26:17,338 --> 01:26:20,074
It's really hard to be transgender
because
406
01:26:20,074 --> 01:26:22,043
you have to deal with a lot
of criticism and
407
01:26:22,043 --> 01:26:26,581
a lot of judgment and if you don't do it
right people will put you down.
408
01:26:27,181 --> 01:26:32,186
When I began hormonal treatment I went to Callen-Lorde
it's a health center for the
409
01:26:32,186 --> 01:26:33,154
GLBT community.
410
01:26:33,555 --> 01:26:34,956
They didn't want to give me hormones
411
01:26:34,956 --> 01:26:38,326
straight off the back they just
wanted me to go to
412
01:26:38,326 --> 01:26:41,729
therapy and get counseling
sessions and I did.
413
01:26:48,336 --> 01:26:51,506
I've always had a passion
wanting to attend
414
01:26:51,506 --> 01:26:54,709
college ever since I was
little like someone
415
01:26:55,043 --> 01:26:57,879
like my teachers my mom my
father my family
416
01:26:57,879 --> 01:26:59,514
everyone they would always
say that college
417
01:26:59,514 --> 01:27:00,882
is the key to success.
418
01:27:05,119 --> 01:27:06,521
Welcome to Syracuse University.
419
01:27:08,423 --> 01:27:10,725
I wouldn't be able to show
them that I'm in
420
01:27:10,725 --> 01:27:12,994
school right there next to
you sitting right
421
01:27:12,994 --> 01:27:13,861
next to you in your classroom.
422
01:27:14,462 --> 01:27:16,564
I try to stay strong because
I want my head
423
01:27:16,564 --> 01:27:19,200
into the books you know like
a boyfriend will
424
01:27:19,200 --> 01:27:21,336
so distract me and so if
my head is in the
425
01:27:21,336 --> 01:27:24,272
books I can just stay focused and till at
426
01:27:24,272 --> 01:27:25,173
least graduation.
427
01:27:31,746 --> 01:27:34,782
Walking balls boosts me up in
terms of self esteem.
428
01:27:35,383 --> 01:27:37,885
I'm still nervous even to this day I walk
429
01:27:37,885 --> 01:27:40,021
the category that I slayed
and conquered and
430
01:27:40,355 --> 01:27:41,356
I still get nervous.
431
01:27:44,459 --> 01:27:46,794
I'm still a street boy in
front of me now.
432
01:27:47,762 --> 01:27:50,798
Doing gum too much or swinging
their arms up
433
01:27:50,798 --> 01:27:52,600
if they act like they can't
really do nothing
434
01:27:52,600 --> 01:27:54,135
with their hands like if
they keep fondling
435
01:27:54,135 --> 01:27:58,172
with their hands and stuff
that's not something
436
01:27:58,172 --> 01:28:00,775
a heterosexual male would
do so I would chop
437
01:28:00,775 --> 01:28:03,144
them for that or you know just
loose the probably
438
01:28:03,144 --> 01:28:04,846
the eyebrows on the arch or they probably
439
01:28:04,846 --> 01:28:07,682
wear baseball cap down too
low those are signs
440
01:28:07,682 --> 01:28:09,684
that they hot and something so I
would chop them for that.
441
01:28:18,326 --> 01:28:25,233
When you judge a ball you're supposed to know
exactly what the flyer is asking for.
442
01:28:25,967 --> 01:28:29,237
I am a stickler for reading the flyer and
443
01:28:29,237 --> 01:28:32,273
bringing it as the flyer
says when someone
444
01:28:32,373 --> 01:28:34,709
asks me to judge their ball
I usually have
445
01:28:34,709 --> 01:28:37,445
the flyer right in front
of me so when you
446
01:28:37,478 --> 01:28:44,085
walk I read the flyer and
if it says teeth,
447
01:28:45,186 --> 01:28:49,624
skin, structure, nose and
I tell you to smile
448
01:28:50,458 --> 01:28:51,993
and you're missing some furniture in your
449
01:28:51,993 --> 01:28:57,065
living room and I spin you
on your way don't
450
01:28:57,065 --> 01:29:02,437
get upset with me because you didn't
see the dentist read the flyer.
451
01:29:08,443 --> 01:29:10,745
When they're going there to
compete amongst one
452
01:29:10,745 --> 01:29:14,916
another they're no longer
gay people competing
453
01:29:15,049 --> 01:29:18,019
for a trophy they're in their minds
454
01:29:18,019 --> 01:29:24,158
competing for respect they're
competing for harmage
455
01:29:25,460 --> 01:29:28,396
they're competing to be the
best of the best
456
01:29:28,396 --> 01:29:33,000
that's why they it's so it's
such an exciting
457
01:29:33,201 --> 01:29:39,707
event because this is not out of fun for
them this is a part of their lives.
458
01:29:40,842 --> 01:29:51,986
The first ball that I ever
walked I believe
459
01:29:51,986 --> 01:29:55,823
and I remember being so scared
of losing that
460
01:29:55,823 --> 01:29:58,793
I wanted I was moving so
fast I mean I was
461
01:29:58,793 --> 01:30:01,095
like a machine like a robot
and I remember
462
01:30:01,162 --> 01:30:03,331
okay I'll just do everything
really fast so
463
01:30:03,331 --> 01:30:05,500
I won't get chopped so they'll
see everything
464
01:30:05,500 --> 01:30:07,869
that I've been working on
and practicing and
465
01:30:07,869 --> 01:30:10,204
not giving the chance to put
up a nine because
466
01:30:10,204 --> 01:30:12,073
they'll see everything so I remember
467
01:30:12,073 --> 01:30:15,943
voguing at like 150 miles per
hour at the speed of
468
01:30:15,943 --> 01:30:19,981
light and people would just I don't think it
was so much the voguing I think it was
469
01:30:19,981 --> 01:30:22,183
like oh my god he's voguing
so fast that they
470
01:30:22,183 --> 01:30:25,486
were like overwhelmed by you
know it was almost
471
01:30:25,486 --> 01:30:27,221
like I was gonna take off
like a helicopter.
472
01:30:32,560 --> 01:30:36,297
When somebody's first walking
a ball and they
473
01:30:36,297 --> 01:30:39,901
get chopped or they don't win
they get discouraged
474
01:30:40,301 --> 01:30:42,370
and you know you got to be there for them
475
01:30:42,370 --> 01:30:45,039
and I tell them it's just
a ball and you go
476
01:30:45,039 --> 01:30:48,743
and tap that person and you tell them guess
what I'll see you on the runway.
477
01:30:50,545 --> 01:30:53,080
If the commentator doesn't
know who you are
478
01:30:53,080 --> 01:30:55,616
that's one thing what a
person needs to do
479
01:30:55,616 --> 01:30:57,885
is when they hit that floor
they have to show
480
01:30:57,885 --> 01:30:59,520
the confidence to make the
commentator realize
481
01:31:00,121 --> 01:31:01,456
and recognize who they are.
482
01:31:02,089 --> 01:31:05,059
If not then that could affect your
whole confidence level.
483
01:31:06,794 --> 01:31:09,630
A good judge is someone that's actually
484
01:31:09,630 --> 01:31:12,400
read the ball flyer people
that have experience
485
01:31:13,000 --> 01:31:14,535
in the ballroom scene that
has been walking
486
01:31:14,535 --> 01:31:17,004
for years that has been
judging for years.
487
01:31:18,739 --> 01:31:21,175
When I'm asked to judge I have a certain
488
01:31:21,175 --> 01:31:23,945
standard that I look at or if
I go by what the flyer's
489
01:31:23,945 --> 01:31:26,180
asking for and if the person is serving
490
01:31:26,180 --> 01:31:28,349
that way we all understand
who it is and it's a
491
01:31:28,382 --> 01:31:31,385
shame to say but it's the truth it's the girlfriend
thing or if your girlfriend is
492
01:31:31,385 --> 01:31:37,492
walking they automatically get your 10 and
that's not how it's supposed to be.
493
01:31:47,368 --> 01:31:51,439
It takes courage to actually go up on the
runway and have somebody judge you.
494
01:31:52,273 --> 01:31:54,342
My first time I was real
nervous because I
495
01:31:54,342 --> 01:31:56,577
never knew what ballroom
was or how it was
496
01:31:56,611 --> 01:31:59,914
to be gay or how to have a
ballroom attitude.
497
01:32:02,617 --> 01:32:04,986
This kid just to come up and say you know
498
01:32:04,986 --> 01:32:07,154
you're a big inspiration
I like your effects
499
01:32:07,154 --> 01:32:09,824
you know you're different
you know it gave
500
01:32:09,824 --> 01:32:12,059
meaning I mean okay I'm doing
something right.
501
01:32:17,899 --> 01:32:20,234
I found a place where I could feel
502
01:32:20,234 --> 01:32:22,603
accepted and feel wanted just
for being who I am.
503
01:32:22,603 --> 01:32:28,843
I was one of those kids that
actually sat back and
504
01:32:28,843 --> 01:32:31,746
learned and watched before I
put myself out there.
505
01:32:34,649 --> 01:32:37,585
I just want to be in one stable
house and build
506
01:32:37,585 --> 01:32:40,154
my name and my foundation within
that one house
507
01:32:40,154 --> 01:32:42,857
so you know I can excel and maybe one day
508
01:32:42,857 --> 01:32:45,326
become that legend and I can
be on that panel
509
01:32:45,326 --> 01:32:47,595
and judge the new kids that's coming up.
510
01:32:52,600 --> 01:32:56,304
[Music]
511
01:32:58,839 --> 01:33:03,110
Trophies will not feed the hungry, coat
the homeless, hide the scars.
512
01:33:04,178 --> 01:33:07,748
Grand prizes will not bring Lazarus
or LaBeija back from the dead.
513
01:33:08,282 --> 01:33:10,685
They will just sit in your
closet fake idols
514
01:33:10,685 --> 01:33:13,788
gathering dust before the gold
paint chips away.
515
01:33:14,455 --> 01:33:18,125
You cannot sell them for freedom. You
cannot trade them in for love.
516
01:33:22,630 --> 01:33:27,301
[Music]
517
01:33:29,604 --> 01:33:34,442
We all have the ability to do something
that we want to do.
518
01:33:35,042 --> 01:33:40,247
It just depends on how we go about
it and when we go about it.
519
01:33:40,247 --> 01:33:42,316
You know I would hate to go
through life saying
520
01:33:42,316 --> 01:33:44,218
oh I should have tried this I
should have did this.
521
01:33:44,518 --> 01:33:46,621
So I'm one of those people who's
always going to try
522
01:33:46,621 --> 01:33:49,590
something at least once to see if
it's going to work for me.
523
01:33:49,623 --> 01:33:51,826
And this is one of those things
that I said you know
524
01:33:51,826 --> 01:33:54,895
what I'm not working right now
I could use some money.
525
01:33:55,162 --> 01:33:58,165
I have this skill I have this talent
let me put it together.
526
01:33:58,165 --> 01:34:02,403
I have some business sense and let me
let it work for me and it did.
527
01:34:03,004 --> 01:34:04,905
[Music]
528
01:34:06,307 --> 01:34:11,679
The ball community can be a wonderful
training ground for up
529
01:34:11,679 --> 01:34:15,583
and coming designers and models if
that's where you're going.
530
01:34:16,617 --> 01:34:25,793
As the world evolved the balls evolved
and then the dance moves evolved like
531
01:34:25,793 --> 01:34:29,263
everything evolves as time
goes by so it's
532
01:34:29,263 --> 01:34:31,332
definitely very important
to document that.
533
01:34:35,136 --> 01:34:37,605
[Music] I definitely don't want people to know
that I'm actually taking their picture
534
01:34:37,605 --> 01:34:41,342
because when they're natural you
get true feeling behind it.
535
01:34:42,309 --> 01:34:44,645
There's nothing false about
it. It's all real.
536
01:34:45,613 --> 01:34:50,184
I think when people look at the pictures that
I take they see reality and it's so
537
01:34:50,184 --> 01:34:54,221
intense that it's almost like you
want to be part of that.
538
01:34:55,423 --> 01:34:57,658
[Music]
539
01:34:58,626 --> 01:35:02,129
Being involved in the ball community
definitely inspires me.
540
01:35:02,730 --> 01:35:06,167
When people look at the actual picture they
actually feel like they're in it.
541
01:35:06,167 --> 01:35:08,569
They're in the picture that
they're looking at.
542
01:35:09,003 --> 01:35:12,306
I have this escape I can
go to and be with
543
01:35:12,306 --> 01:35:15,976
these fun people and see all
this great energy.
544
01:35:17,044 --> 01:35:19,580
[Music]
545
01:35:23,684 --> 01:35:27,655
It's very inspiring to see
people sew gun ho
546
01:35:27,655 --> 01:35:31,592
about a particular category and
pulling it off right.
547
01:35:31,625 --> 01:35:40,167
[Music]
548
01:35:43,604 --> 01:35:47,141
I am the father of the house.
I am the founder of
549
01:35:47,141 --> 01:35:51,278
the House of Infinity and I founded
the house in 1990.
550
01:35:53,748 --> 01:35:57,284
First I asked them what made them want
to come to the House of Infinity.
551
01:35:58,152 --> 01:36:00,755
You know what can we offer
them? Their answer.
552
01:36:02,623 --> 01:36:07,194
Love, trust, understanding and
most of all unity.
553
01:36:10,598 --> 01:36:12,700
And that's what the House of
Infinity is all about.
554
01:36:12,700 --> 01:36:15,102
Being a family, you know
helping each other,
555
01:36:15,503 --> 01:36:17,605
looking out for one another
in any time of need.
556
01:36:17,638 --> 01:36:19,273
[Music]
557
01:36:46,600 --> 01:36:56,177
[Music]
558
01:36:58,579 --> 01:37:02,516
The legendary Avis Pindavis and the
legendary Dorian Corey.
559
01:37:02,917 --> 01:37:06,187
They creations would you know
really open up my eyes
560
01:37:06,187 --> 01:37:10,357
to really go into bizarre at the
ball and futuristic.
561
01:37:10,624 --> 01:37:16,163
And if we don't keep it in our hearts
how it used to be and
562
01:37:16,163 --> 01:37:21,235
how we compete against one another
at these balls and what not.
563
01:37:22,403 --> 01:37:25,506
To remember that we have
to still love one
564
01:37:25,506 --> 01:37:29,076
another and keep a good tradition
going on.
565
01:37:29,543 --> 01:37:32,379
To order to be a good winner you
have to be a good loser.
566
01:37:32,813 --> 01:37:38,118
A person that can hug its opponent
and walk off with pride.
567
01:37:38,619 --> 01:37:41,956
[Music]
568
01:37:43,123 --> 01:37:46,060
When I go to a ball I'm always
prepared. I have
569
01:37:46,060 --> 01:37:51,165
Band-Aid, Bobby pins, powders, deodorant,
face wash, Mac makeup.
570
01:37:51,565 --> 01:37:54,935
I might not have your color
but I have it all and
571
01:37:54,935 --> 01:37:58,606
I guess that's why I was voted
mother of the year.
572
01:37:59,740 --> 01:38:04,712
Since 95 I've won women's face seven
years in a row at the awards ball.
573
01:38:05,112 --> 01:38:11,018
This past year I won mother of the year which
was never done by a lesbian before.
574
01:38:13,621 --> 01:38:16,657
You can't just get your face made
up and just walk out.
575
01:38:16,957 --> 01:38:21,662
When you come out you have to come out with
confidence and with a glow like a aura
576
01:38:21,662 --> 01:38:23,597
or the judges will not pay you attention.
577
01:38:23,631 --> 01:38:28,769
You have to come out there like you
know you deserve that trophy.
578
01:38:29,837 --> 01:38:31,805
Everything is a blank to me when I walk.
579
01:38:32,273 --> 01:38:36,744
The only thing I see is the front of the judges
panel and that's it if I see that
580
01:38:36,744 --> 01:38:39,747
because sometimes I'll focus
on the back of the
581
01:38:39,747 --> 01:38:42,583
wall and just everything is
blocked out to me.
582
01:38:42,616 --> 01:38:48,088
[Music]
583
01:38:48,622 --> 01:38:51,458
Since my outfit at the awards
ball was made by
584
01:38:51,458 --> 01:38:55,796
designer Angel LaScaia as well as
my jewelry and my headpiece.
585
01:38:56,897 --> 01:39:01,168
I prepared myself for that night
by not eating. I was
586
01:39:01,168 --> 01:39:05,773
actually very nervous and smoking
a lot of cigarettes.
587
01:39:06,173 --> 01:39:08,575
In the beginning I wasn't winning
and I wasn't feeling it.
588
01:39:08,642 --> 01:39:12,346
So when I started winning I started
putting more effort into it.
589
01:39:12,880 --> 01:39:18,052
I would make sure like watch over my designers
make sure my outfit was perfect.
590
01:39:19,053 --> 01:39:23,390
I would sell it in the mirror
for like hours because I
591
01:39:23,390 --> 01:39:26,460
was always told you have to sell
it like a femme queen.
592
01:39:27,394 --> 01:39:29,296
[Music]
593
01:39:33,367 --> 01:39:38,539
When I walk face and you hear from
the sidelines sell it bitch.
594
01:39:39,340 --> 01:39:42,843
I don't really take bitch negatively
in that aspect.
595
01:39:42,843 --> 01:39:46,213
I actually take it as being positive
because you're walking.
596
01:39:46,780 --> 01:39:48,515
You're getting the audience
hot because you're
597
01:39:48,515 --> 01:39:50,818
selling it and they want you
to sell it more.
598
01:39:50,818 --> 01:39:52,987
So they're like sell it bitch
so it gets you
599
01:39:52,987 --> 01:39:55,589
excited and it gets you hot
so you sell it more.
600
01:39:56,557 --> 01:40:01,829
After a ball your emotions wind down. If you
had a successful night, if your house
601
01:40:01,829 --> 01:40:04,298
had a successful night, your
emotions are high.
602
01:40:04,531 --> 01:40:06,200
You want to go out to eat,
you want to go to the
603
01:40:06,200 --> 01:40:08,802
club, you want to go anywhere just
to keep the high going.
604
01:40:10,237 --> 01:40:13,273
If you had a, you know, if you
lost that night and
605
01:40:13,273 --> 01:40:16,744
you're feeling kind of down, you just
like to unwind at home.
606
01:40:16,744 --> 01:40:19,813
Maybe go home, have a nice cup
of tea and go to sleep.
607
01:40:20,614 --> 01:40:26,387
We tolerate no violence or disrespect to
one another as well as anyone who is
608
01:40:26,387 --> 01:40:29,556
disrespectful to the house
name by being a
609
01:40:29,556 --> 01:40:33,394
quote-unquote troublemaker will be
expelled from the house.
610
01:40:33,861 --> 01:40:36,063
The ballroom community has been
incredibly influential
611
01:40:36,063 --> 01:40:39,600
in the worlds of fashion and music
and style and language.
612
01:41:09,596 --> 01:41:12,833
I am E and the end is what I just did
613
01:41:12,833 --> 01:41:14,802
And the wire door extra box
614
01:41:14,802 --> 01:41:16,703
This is what he's fixin' for
615
01:41:16,703 --> 01:41:18,605
Now I'm a GTT for she
616
01:41:18,605 --> 01:41:20,441
All the girls with a PPP
617
01:41:20,607 --> 01:41:24,912
Remember, all Avers of them used to tell
me what was good and what was bad
618
01:41:24,912 --> 01:41:30,918
And I learned, but now these days,
the new generation is hard
619
01:41:30,918 --> 01:41:33,554
Because they take everything as shade
620
01:41:33,620 --> 01:41:35,122
They think everything is shade
621
01:41:35,622 --> 01:41:37,591
I gotta feel it, and they gotta feel it
622
01:41:37,624 --> 01:41:43,197
And I know, when I make them feel it, it's
like, oh, I have to get this trophy
623
01:41:43,597 --> 01:41:44,865
I have to get this tense
624
01:41:44,865 --> 01:41:46,834
I gotta make the girls know it
625
01:41:47,568 --> 01:41:50,471
So it's that energy that's between the
626
01:41:50,471 --> 01:41:53,540
commentator and the, you know, the
people that's competing
627
01:41:56,610 --> 01:42:00,447
When you're voguing fem fem fem just to
get your ticketee ten ten ten
628
01:42:00,614 --> 01:42:02,616
You're the creme de la cookie
creme creme creme
629
01:42:02,616 --> 01:42:03,817
Let me see you stop
630
01:42:04,785 --> 01:42:06,019
Show in
631
01:42:06,019 --> 01:42:07,821
The girls can't take my life, fight
632
01:42:07,821 --> 01:42:09,756
The girls can't take my shade, shade
633
01:42:09,756 --> 01:42:11,758
The girls can't take my plate, plate
634
01:42:11,758 --> 01:42:15,295
The girls can't take my attitude
635
01:42:15,295 --> 01:42:17,297
The girls can't take my chicken, too
636
01:42:17,297 --> 01:42:18,899
The girls can't take my life
637
01:42:18,899 --> 01:42:24,371
2001 is gone
638
01:42:25,606 --> 01:42:27,574
2002 has passed
639
01:42:28,609 --> 01:42:30,577
2003 is no longer here
640
01:42:31,612 --> 01:42:33,213
2004 no longer exist
641
01:42:33,714 --> 01:42:35,883
2005 are you ready?
642
01:42:36,483 --> 01:42:39,186
So you see, they take that and
they run with it, okay?
643
01:42:39,386 --> 01:42:42,122
But I'm not giving the credibility
because I'm not on the mic
644
01:42:42,122 --> 01:42:43,323
But that's okay
645
01:42:43,624 --> 01:42:46,460
Because that's just how the game runs
646
01:42:46,460 --> 01:42:53,901
People are doing it again,
people are, they
647
01:42:53,901 --> 01:42:56,737
are wanting it again, they
are feeling it again
648
01:42:56,737 --> 01:42:58,605
I mean, face it, it's the true gay dance
649
01:43:03,644 --> 01:43:10,083
They do it, they do it, they do it
650
01:43:10,450 --> 01:43:13,453
Madonna did something, the
next thing that
651
01:43:13,453 --> 01:43:15,856
came along in what Madonna has been doing
652
01:43:16,657 --> 01:43:22,062
Capturing trends, she really did wonderful
for the House of Extravaganza
653
01:43:22,062 --> 01:43:25,299
The great exposition and the money that
they made taking them on tour
654
01:43:25,632 --> 01:43:29,736
[music]
655
01:43:29,903 --> 01:43:35,776
Vogueing was actually manufactured
on Rikers Island in jail
656
01:43:35,776 --> 01:43:39,780
At first was presentation, then
they called it performance
657
01:43:39,780 --> 01:43:43,350
It didn't become vogueing until the 80s
658
01:43:43,350 --> 01:43:46,720
[music]
659
01:43:48,789 --> 01:43:53,594
I was what, 15 when I first met
Madonna in Sound Factory
660
01:43:53,627 --> 01:43:56,663
And I mean, I remember her saying
to me, she didn't
661
01:43:56,663 --> 01:44:00,033
understand how so much talent came
out of such a little body
662
01:44:03,604 --> 01:44:09,543
I think that what she was so amazed
by was, in your face,
663
01:44:09,876 --> 01:44:13,046
I'm real, this is what it is, take
it or leave it, attitude
664
01:44:13,046 --> 01:44:17,184
And it was something that we didn't
have to try very hard to do
665
01:44:17,184 --> 01:44:19,453
It was just the way we were, you know, it
666
01:44:19,453 --> 01:44:21,588
was what we projected, it was
what we lived for
667
01:44:21,622 --> 01:44:26,393
To just be in your face, yes I'm fabulous
and you can't tell me different
668
01:44:26,860 --> 01:44:30,464
Yeah, I was always a little spiteful,
shady, I was the
669
01:44:30,464 --> 01:44:33,300
shadiest one, I was the youngest one,
I was the most spoiled one
670
01:44:33,900 --> 01:44:37,904
But I think she was more, she was like,
don't you realize what you're doing?
671
01:44:38,338 --> 01:44:41,575
I think that it came so natural
to me, that it was nothing
672
01:44:43,610 --> 01:44:48,482
I didn't learn to appreciate what I had
accomplished so much later in life
673
01:44:48,615 --> 01:44:55,122
I was so young, you know, and I think with
her, it was also a thing where she would
674
01:44:55,122 --> 01:44:59,526
just like, you know, she would just play
the music and watch me do my thing
675
01:44:59,626 --> 01:45:06,099
And next thing you know, she wanted everyone
to do what I was doing, you know, and
676
01:45:06,099 --> 01:45:09,036
everyone had to be still and
watch Jose at times
677
01:45:09,036 --> 01:45:12,839
Everyone had to be still and watch Jose
and Louis, you know, do their thing
678
01:45:12,839 --> 01:45:17,377
And just from watching her, I was like, wow,
this woman is really impressed by me
679
01:45:17,611 --> 01:45:23,150
It's Athena Trutha Dera actually, where she's
just like, you know, just kissing my
680
01:45:23,150 --> 01:45:27,854
feet and I'm like standing there like, okay,
I have one of the biggest stars in the
681
01:45:27,854 --> 01:45:30,023
universe just telling me
how incredible I am
682
01:45:30,290 --> 01:45:33,193
And she's at my feet, I think it
should be the other way
683
01:45:33,193 --> 01:45:36,029
around, you know, because I was always
a big fan of hers too
684
01:45:36,563 --> 01:45:39,599
And it was amazing to get the opportunity
to go and work with her
685
01:45:39,599 --> 01:45:46,640
I think it's something that you feel, you know,
that's what street voguing is to me
686
01:45:46,640 --> 01:45:49,843
More of a rough urban, you know, in your
687
01:45:49,843 --> 01:45:53,747
face type of, it's like acting
out your dreams
688
01:45:53,747 --> 01:45:57,584
I was a dreamer, I was curious,
you know, there
689
01:45:57,584 --> 01:46:00,187
was a certain mystery to everything
I wanted to know
690
01:46:00,187 --> 01:46:03,056
I wanted to, if you said to me,
don't put your hand
691
01:46:03,056 --> 01:46:05,425
there, that's where I was going
to lay it down first
692
01:46:05,625 --> 01:46:11,398
All the goatee gigs, Francesco
Scobullo working with
693
01:46:11,398 --> 01:46:13,734
all the amazing photographers,
those were all highlights
694
01:46:13,734 --> 01:46:19,406
I mean, not even just gigs, just highlight
moment, you know, I'm meeting Elizabeth
695
01:46:19,406 --> 01:46:25,579
Taylor, incredible moment, you know, having
her tell me how incredible I am
696
01:46:26,613 --> 01:46:32,152
You're an athlete, I like to see it as, you
know, so dress for it, you know, so I
697
01:46:32,152 --> 01:46:34,988
started that whole cat suit
and, you know,
698
01:46:36,022 --> 01:46:39,459
knee pads and hot shorts and,
you know, no shirt
699
01:46:39,626 --> 01:46:44,331
And just really like, you know, adding to
what I'm doing, which is voguing
700
01:46:55,642 --> 01:46:58,645
Performance, also known as
vogue, is the art of
701
01:46:58,645 --> 01:47:01,414
improvising dance and drama-oriented
modeling presentations
702
01:47:01,615 --> 01:47:05,886
It is the interchanging of poses, struts,
and ethnic dance gestures
703
01:47:12,626 --> 01:47:17,063
Expressions of famous entertainers such as
Alvin Ailey, Diana Ross, and Beverly
704
01:47:17,063 --> 01:47:19,599
Johnson inspired those who
imitated them at
705
01:47:19,599 --> 01:47:21,601
showcase venues and New York
Correctional Facilities
706
01:47:22,602 --> 01:47:25,605
During the mid-70s, the dance
became a category at
707
01:47:25,605 --> 01:47:27,774
balls, marking the beginning
of the conventional era
708
01:47:27,774 --> 01:47:32,846
The term presentation was then replaced by
performance, originally a feminine dance
709
01:47:32,846 --> 01:47:37,350
category with Arabic dancing, flamboyant
struts, and fashion magazine poses
710
01:47:37,617 --> 01:47:47,594
[music]
711
01:47:50,831 --> 01:47:52,966
During the birth of hip-hop
culture, the influence
712
01:47:52,966 --> 01:47:55,836
of breakdancing heightened the
standard for acrobatics
713
01:47:56,470 --> 01:48:00,907
By the late 80s, categories like performance
with gymnastics, also performance with
714
01:48:00,907 --> 01:48:04,611
stretch, now known as new weight, began
the Olympic-type performance era
715
01:48:37,644 --> 01:48:39,679
As long as African Americans
are descendants of
716
01:48:39,679 --> 01:48:42,749
Ethiopian Kushites, performance
will never perish
717
01:48:42,749 --> 01:48:51,157
Who would have thought this would
have went around the
718
01:48:51,157 --> 01:48:53,660
world, you know, and this came
from the ball community
719
01:48:55,595 --> 01:49:00,901
Andre has a lot of qualities, all I can
say, he's always got something going
720
01:49:00,901 --> 01:49:07,340
When you can get 75 people to do anything
you want them to do, then you have power
721
01:49:07,607 --> 01:49:10,477
I've been walking balls for
about 12 years,
722
01:49:10,477 --> 01:49:13,380
I try to take it beyond
the ballroom scene
723
01:49:13,613 --> 01:49:17,584
[music]
724
01:49:17,584 --> 01:49:22,455
I dance for a living, I'm a choreographer,
I perform for Puffy Combs, Missy
725
01:49:22,455 --> 01:49:26,026
Elliott, and a few other stars, trying
to take it as far as I can
726
01:49:26,593 --> 01:49:31,364
So that's another reason that I walk balls
too, because I feel that balls can take
727
01:49:31,364 --> 01:49:34,000
people places, it depends on what
you do and how you do it
728
01:49:34,000 --> 01:49:37,003
[music]
729
01:49:38,638 --> 01:49:43,677
A lot of people never use their shoulders
when they're...voguing usually
730
01:49:43,677 --> 01:49:48,315
And then this movement here,
those were my
731
01:49:48,315 --> 01:49:50,951
signature movements, and now they
seem to be standard
732
01:49:50,951 --> 01:49:53,954
[music]
733
01:50:04,631 --> 01:50:07,334
A little bit of martial arts, a
little bit of pantomime
734
01:50:07,334 --> 01:50:16,643
When I started it, it was because I'm in the
club having fun and they get my face
735
01:50:16,643 --> 01:50:19,546
and lo and behold here comes
a new movement
736
01:50:23,717 --> 01:50:27,887
Working with various recording artists, from
Grace Jones to Queen Latifah, it was
737
01:50:27,887 --> 01:50:30,423
just about having fun and
just goofing off
738
01:50:30,623 --> 01:50:41,034
[music]
739
01:50:44,771 --> 01:50:48,341
If you have a fierce song, your body is going
to do what that song is telling you
740
01:50:48,341 --> 01:50:53,613
Or if the commentator is turning it out and
he changes the beat, but you can match
741
01:50:53,613 --> 01:50:55,982
him, your body is going to match
what he's saying
742
01:50:55,982 --> 01:50:59,319
I create it in my mind and then try
to create it on the floor
743
01:51:00,620 --> 01:51:02,956
[music]
744
01:51:03,623 --> 01:51:06,126
I feel it later and I have to soak
in a tub for a couple hours
745
01:51:06,626 --> 01:51:11,531
Twisted ankle, in Germany, this scar from
going into a prop on the stage
746
01:51:41,628 --> 01:51:52,405
[music]
747
01:51:54,607 --> 01:51:58,344
Muscle spasms from all the arm flicks, and
especially if you're doing it during
748
01:51:58,344 --> 01:52:00,880
performances and you're doing
it for an hour or so
749
01:52:00,880 --> 01:52:04,284
Believe me, the older you get,
the harder it gets
750
01:52:04,617 --> 01:52:08,221
So all you young kids, you're going to
need a lot of Van Gogh Netflix songs
751
01:52:10,890 --> 01:52:14,294
We have so much against us, being
black or Latin and gay
752
01:52:14,594 --> 01:52:17,897
Taking what we do and branching out and
753
01:52:17,897 --> 01:52:20,433
showing the world this is us,
look at our talent
754
01:52:20,600 --> 01:52:25,472
And just bringing the spotlight
to the community
755
01:52:25,605 --> 01:52:26,873
To me, that's a legend
756
01:52:26,873 --> 01:52:29,676
[music]
757
01:52:30,944 --> 01:52:34,581
First time Vogue was ever seen was
Jodie Watney's second video
758
01:52:34,614 --> 01:52:36,216
It's called "Still a Grill"
759
01:52:36,950 --> 01:52:41,054
Tyrone Proctor, we were in a dance group
together, choreographed that
760
01:52:41,054 --> 01:52:42,655
And he was best friends with her
761
01:52:42,655 --> 01:52:44,757
Second video, Carol Dane
762
01:52:44,757 --> 01:52:48,161
Shape was a choreographer as well
763
01:52:48,161 --> 01:52:50,130
Bobby Brown's choreographer
was in that video
764
01:52:50,130 --> 01:52:52,665
It was weak, maybe because of the
old straight boyfriend
765
01:52:52,665 --> 01:52:54,501
[laughter]
766
01:52:54,601 --> 01:52:56,569
Trying to do a little Vogue
767
01:52:56,603 --> 01:52:58,872
Then there was Liz Torres
768
01:52:58,872 --> 01:53:01,574
A house underground house classic
769
01:53:01,641 --> 01:53:03,843
Then there was my video
770
01:53:03,843 --> 01:53:06,646
Then there was Latifah
771
01:53:06,646 --> 01:53:08,081
Coming to my house
772
01:53:08,815 --> 01:53:10,383
Then Delight, good beat
773
01:53:10,383 --> 01:53:12,619
Then Madonna
774
01:53:12,619 --> 01:53:13,620
[music]
775
01:53:31,604 --> 01:53:41,981
[music]
776
01:53:42,615 --> 01:53:47,153
My house is mixed, it's straight,
it's gay, it's multiracial
777
01:53:47,620 --> 01:53:52,258
And the reason I do that is, if we want to
be accepted, we gotta accept everybody
778
01:53:52,258 --> 01:53:54,027
[applause]
779
01:53:58,598 --> 01:54:03,236
[music]
780
01:54:03,603 --> 01:54:04,504
Don't call me in the morning
781
01:54:04,504 --> 01:54:09,475
[music]
782
01:54:13,613 --> 01:54:15,448
It's gotten me to see various cultures
783
01:54:16,616 --> 01:54:19,519
And experiences that I'll never forget
784
01:54:19,619 --> 01:54:26,125
[music]
785
01:54:31,231 --> 01:54:33,299
Looking at the history of
the ball community,
786
01:54:34,067 --> 01:54:37,103
Pepper was one of the last surviving
legendary mothers
787
01:54:37,604 --> 01:54:41,074
When we were going to the ball,
balls were a special event
788
01:54:41,608 --> 01:54:43,243
They didn't have them every month
789
01:54:43,610 --> 01:54:47,213
Every one or two a year, and you prepared
yourself for that night
790
01:54:47,614 --> 01:54:50,817
But you couldn't come in there giving them
an abortion, because they would chop you
791
01:54:50,817 --> 01:54:53,553
Because she's been doing that
for over three decades,
792
01:54:53,553 --> 01:54:56,222
it was well overdue that she'd
be honored in this fight
793
01:54:56,222 --> 01:55:01,194
[applause]
794
01:55:04,697 --> 01:55:08,201
Pepper was truly an icon
795
01:55:08,601 --> 01:55:12,005
Pepper Lolita Labesia
796
01:55:12,605 --> 01:55:15,375
Had two children and a beautiful mother
797
01:55:16,609 --> 01:55:20,713
There is a whole new generation
of ball kids now
798
01:55:20,713 --> 01:55:23,716
And very few of them knew
Pepper's struggles
799
01:55:23,716 --> 01:55:27,186
And the survival skills she required
to live her life
800
01:55:27,620 --> 01:55:33,860
In addition, Pepper has seen the comings
and goings of hundreds of ball children
801
01:55:33,860 --> 01:55:36,696
Whom we lost to HIV and AIDS
802
01:55:36,696 --> 01:55:44,604
We've lost a wonderful world, people with
so much experience, talent, beauty
803
01:55:45,605 --> 01:55:48,808
We've lost a lot of people along the way
804
01:55:48,808 --> 01:55:51,411
[music]
805
01:55:51,611 --> 01:55:54,480
Eric really shined white on the ballroom
806
01:55:54,614 --> 01:55:58,484
He was always fair, he gave
everybody a chance
807
01:55:58,618 --> 01:56:02,956
A real inspiration to the ballroom
community, he was a real creator
808
01:56:02,956 --> 01:56:08,261
We're here tonight to pay homage to our
brother Eric Christian-Bazar
809
01:56:08,261 --> 01:56:11,597
Because there will never be anyone
else like him on the mic
810
01:56:11,631 --> 01:56:12,699
On the mic
811
01:56:12,699 --> 01:56:14,300
Or for Pope Ron
812
01:56:14,600 --> 01:56:16,736
Or for Bazar
813
01:56:16,736 --> 01:56:18,638
Or for Puddin' Eyewear
814
01:56:18,638 --> 01:56:21,174
Let's just say, all around
815
01:56:21,607 --> 01:56:22,375
For it's queen
816
01:56:22,608 --> 01:56:23,743
Legendary
817
01:56:23,743 --> 01:56:25,845
Always know what
818
01:56:25,845 --> 01:56:27,580
Felling you don't have to say it
819
01:56:27,580 --> 01:56:28,781
And believing it
820
01:56:28,781 --> 01:56:30,717
Yes, that's right
821
01:56:30,717 --> 01:56:33,653
[music]
822
01:56:36,756 --> 01:56:39,592
I'm not going to sit here and lie that the
girls was using condoms back in 1982
823
01:56:39,625 --> 01:56:41,994
Condoms, we didn't even know
what that thing was
824
01:56:43,596 --> 01:56:45,465
I don't know why I'm alive
825
01:56:46,866 --> 01:56:50,103
I thought that because I was HIV that I
would never be able to have sex again
826
01:56:50,103 --> 01:56:53,539
This is what I'm thinking, I'm never
going to have sex again
827
01:56:53,606 --> 01:56:56,042
I'm never ever going to
let a man touch me
828
01:56:56,376 --> 01:56:58,378
I couldn't think about being
with somebody
829
01:56:58,611 --> 01:57:00,580
Knowing that I have A's
830
01:57:01,047 --> 01:57:02,849
But HIV is not having A's
831
01:57:03,116 --> 01:57:06,285
HIV is not really harmful to anybody
unless I make it harmful
832
01:57:06,285 --> 01:57:07,520
We don't know everyone's status
833
01:57:07,620 --> 01:57:09,522
And everyone's not going to tell
us their true status
834
01:57:09,622 --> 01:57:13,426
So protect yourself, you know, treat
everyone with universal precaution
835
01:57:13,426 --> 01:57:17,964
[music]
836
01:57:24,170 --> 01:57:27,306
This is my boyfriend Justin, we've been
together for almost a year
837
01:57:27,607 --> 01:57:30,743
I titled this one "Justin came
to me in a dream"
838
01:57:31,344 --> 01:57:34,580
I did this in a series of photographs that
came from dreams that I was having
839
01:57:34,614 --> 01:57:36,716
I have very vivid dreams
840
01:57:36,716 --> 01:57:39,619
Partly because of some of the
medications that we take
841
01:57:39,619 --> 01:57:42,321
One of my favorite people to
photograph is Cleo
842
01:57:42,655 --> 01:57:44,657
He's my best friend, he's in
the ballroom community
843
01:57:44,657 --> 01:57:48,194
He walks, puts you up in drags
categories and I live
844
01:57:48,194 --> 01:57:52,565
Luna Louise Ortiz has been a member of the
Visual AIDS Archive Project since 1998
845
01:57:52,598 --> 01:57:55,668
And in that time we've seen
his work mature as
846
01:57:55,668 --> 01:57:58,104
an artist and photographer,
activist and teacher
847
01:57:58,604 --> 01:58:02,575
Through the direct support that Visual
AIDS offers artists living with AIDS
848
01:58:02,642 --> 01:58:06,145
We hope to be able to empower them
to continue making work
849
01:58:06,145 --> 01:58:10,550
As well as to document and hold a visual
record of the AIDS pandemic and the art
850
01:58:10,550 --> 01:58:12,885
that's come from artists living with AIDS
851
01:58:12,885 --> 01:58:16,222
[music]
852
01:58:17,290 --> 01:58:22,161
I choose to do portraits of my friends
because I've lost so many of them
853
01:58:22,161 --> 01:58:23,629
Sort of like a visual diary
854
01:58:23,629 --> 01:58:26,799
So I could keep my friends
with me at all times
855
01:58:26,799 --> 01:58:28,601
And sometimes I have them all
over the apartment
856
01:58:28,601 --> 01:58:31,838
[music]
857
01:58:35,408 --> 01:58:38,177
As an adolescent I was not supposed
to think about sex
858
01:58:38,611 --> 01:58:41,481
Yet I did think about it
and I engaged in it
859
01:58:41,848 --> 01:58:45,518
Unfortunately I was not informed about
what was safe and what was not
860
01:58:45,618 --> 01:58:52,291
I became infected by HIV in 1986 at the age
of 14 with my first sexual experience
861
01:58:52,625 --> 01:58:55,695
HIV made me think about how I
wanted to be remembered
862
01:58:56,629 --> 01:58:59,465
It was important for me to let
people know that I exist
863
01:58:59,599 --> 01:59:02,135
I thought at the time that I
was going to get really
864
01:59:02,135 --> 01:59:05,538
sick and look like the images of
AIDS we saw in the 1980s
865
01:59:06,038 --> 01:59:08,040
But I didn't want to be seen
as an AIDS victim
866
01:59:08,975 --> 01:59:13,946
Around the time that I met Justin I was having
difficulty finding a relationship
867
01:59:13,946 --> 01:59:17,316
A lot of people refused to date
me because I was positive
868
01:59:17,316 --> 01:59:19,819
[music]
869
01:59:25,625 --> 01:59:29,862
Justin came to me and he was always
very supportive about it
870
01:59:29,862 --> 01:59:32,198
I remember I was afraid to tell
him that I was positive
871
01:59:33,599 --> 01:59:37,603
And I always wondered why was I afraid when
I was always a show off about my virus
872
01:59:37,603 --> 01:59:40,873
He basically held my hand through
the whole thing
873
01:59:40,873 --> 01:59:44,043
[music]
874
01:59:51,350 --> 01:59:55,421
Our sexual part of the relationship
is very beautiful
875
01:59:55,621 --> 01:59:59,492
It's intimate, it's just as normal
as anybody's relationship
876
01:59:59,625 --> 02:00:04,597
And it's very protective, it's a healthy
protective relationship
877
02:00:04,597 --> 02:00:07,567
[music]
878
02:00:08,067 --> 02:00:11,604
Throughout the years people that
I came out with and
879
02:00:11,604 --> 02:00:16,576
people that I was raised with just
like start dying on me
880
02:00:16,609 --> 02:00:22,181
It affects me a lot, I mean, that's a lot
881
02:00:22,181 --> 02:00:26,419
[music]
882
02:00:27,053 --> 02:00:29,455
Personally I've lost over
400 of my friends
883
02:00:29,622 --> 02:00:33,859
I can count more than personalities and
people that are gone, it hurts
884
02:00:34,594 --> 02:00:37,063
When I had to go to Ken
Pindarvis' funeral
885
02:00:37,063 --> 02:00:39,565
I was left baffled, bewildered
and bothered
886
02:00:40,132 --> 02:00:42,101
Because I remember when all two
of us, or three of us
887
02:00:42,101 --> 02:00:45,037
were on the bogging floor performing
against each other
888
02:00:45,605 --> 02:00:46,739
And they're not here anymore
889
02:00:46,739 --> 02:00:51,644
I've lost a lot of friends, but
I've lost a lot of clients
890
02:00:51,644 --> 02:00:54,313
So how it affected me is that
I couldn't help anyone
891
02:00:54,313 --> 02:00:58,384
Find your HIV positive, that doesn't
mean it's the end of your life
892
02:00:58,384 --> 02:01:03,389
A lot of them kiss turn to drugs as a
comfort for being HIV positive
893
02:01:03,389 --> 02:01:07,660
But once you eat like I tell them, once you
eat right, you take care of yourself,
894
02:01:07,660 --> 02:01:09,929
you take your meds on time,
you'll be alright
895
02:01:10,596 --> 02:01:13,466
I thought I'm still here, and number
two I'm still negative
896
02:01:13,599 --> 02:01:18,437
And the reason why is that I didn't
drink and I didn't take drugs
897
02:01:18,604 --> 02:01:21,540
And I said no, and that's it
898
02:01:21,974 --> 02:01:26,812
GMHC, I know that they do wonderful
things for the gay community
899
02:01:26,812 --> 02:01:28,581
In the beginning they did, like they were
900
02:01:28,581 --> 02:01:32,752
bringing in houses to do, you
know, safe sex ads
901
02:01:32,752 --> 02:01:35,421
But then they stopped all
of that, you know
902
02:01:35,621 --> 02:01:37,189
And you would see them at
the balls and it
903
02:01:37,189 --> 02:01:40,660
became a thing where a latex
chopping someone
904
02:01:40,660 --> 02:01:43,296
And it's like, wait a minute, aren't
you here to save the day?
905
02:01:43,763 --> 02:01:45,931
As far as the house of latex, no comments
906
02:01:46,599 --> 02:01:50,770
The people who organized it aren't purely
907
02:01:50,770 --> 02:01:52,805
bald people that would have
kept this going
908
02:01:52,805 --> 02:01:55,608
At one time we had the cream
of the latex there
909
02:01:55,608 --> 02:01:58,644
We were all contained, we were
all showing entries,
910
02:01:58,644 --> 02:02:00,946
we were all showing meetings,
and then it just dropped
911
02:02:26,305 --> 02:02:29,275
[Music] It feels almost like
you're a celebrity
912
02:02:29,642 --> 02:02:33,346
And it's the excitement, you want
to get there and see
913
02:02:33,346 --> 02:02:36,415
who's wearing what, who's with who,
who's in what new house
914
02:02:36,415 --> 02:02:41,654
[Music]
915
02:02:46,058 --> 02:02:47,660
For someone to be considered
a legend, you
916
02:02:47,660 --> 02:02:49,729
have to at one particular
point be the best
917
02:02:49,729 --> 02:02:52,264
Or at the top of that particular
category that you want
918
02:02:52,631 --> 02:03:03,442
[Music]
919
02:03:14,620 --> 02:03:17,590
The Hall of Fame, what does it mean
to me? It means a lot to me
920
02:03:17,623 --> 02:03:22,995
Because it shows that the community
approves of me, they see me
921
02:03:22,995 --> 02:03:28,434
It made me feel like all the time by me being
in the ball scene, it would pay off
922
02:03:28,434 --> 02:03:31,604
[Music]
923
02:03:40,613 --> 02:03:42,548
Being inducted into the Ballroom Hall of
924
02:03:42,548 --> 02:03:46,285
Fame, you know, of legendary
status, I made it out
925
02:03:47,186 --> 02:03:51,423
And I walked my first ball when I was 14
years old, I don't have to walk anymore
926
02:03:51,624 --> 02:03:53,526
And there's some people out there
sometimes that would
927
02:03:53,526 --> 02:03:55,461
have been like, okay, I want to
walk against this person
928
02:03:55,594 --> 02:03:59,465
Against someone of my caliber,
of my status,
929
02:03:59,465 --> 02:04:02,802
you know, that would excite
me enough to say, okay
930
02:04:02,802 --> 02:04:05,871
This person is going to give me
a run for my money, but
931
02:04:05,871 --> 02:04:09,909
I don't think there's no comparison
to what I did with it
932
02:04:09,909 --> 02:04:12,278
And what they're doing with
it now, so there's
933
02:04:12,278 --> 02:04:14,380
no need for competition because
there isn't any
934
02:05:13,606 --> 02:05:23,582
[Music] [Music]
935
02:05:26,952 --> 02:05:29,521
Vogueing empowered me in a lot of ways
936
02:05:29,622 --> 02:05:34,660
It's something that it became
like so natural to me
937
02:05:34,660 --> 02:05:39,598
because of, you know, my talent and
my gift and what I love to do
938
02:05:39,632 --> 02:05:41,166
[Music]
939
02:05:41,934 --> 02:05:45,704
It gave me reassurance, it
gave me secureness
940
02:05:45,704 --> 02:05:49,041
[Music]
941
02:05:50,175 --> 02:05:57,950
For those five minutes that I was out there
doing this art, creating, you know, it
942
02:05:57,950 --> 02:06:01,086
made me feel like I was doing
something and I was
943
02:06:01,086 --> 02:06:05,291
And that's great for my ego, it's
great for anyone's ego
944
02:06:05,624 --> 02:06:08,127
To feel like, wow, I just did
something and got
945
02:06:08,127 --> 02:06:11,997
applauded and rewarded for it, you know,
it's a wonderful feeling
946
02:06:11,997 --> 02:06:16,201
And that makes you feel really
good and feeling good, I
947
02:06:16,201 --> 02:06:19,738
mean, that's all you need, it shows,
you know, you got to glow
948
02:06:19,738 --> 02:06:23,742
I mean, if you feel good, you know, you walk
down the street, there's a certain
949
02:06:23,742 --> 02:06:26,679
walk to your walk, there's a certain
talk to your talk
950
02:06:26,679 --> 02:06:29,381
You know, when you feel good,
you feel invincible,
951
02:06:29,582 --> 02:06:32,484
you feel strength, you feel
everything that's good
952
02:06:33,052 --> 02:06:39,024
And the fact that that can bring all those
things to you just from doing that, like
953
02:06:39,024 --> 02:06:43,629
doing anything that you love, anything
that's being appreciated
954
02:06:44,596 --> 02:06:47,466
It's definitely a force not
to be reckoned with
955
02:06:47,466 --> 02:06:50,603
[Music]
956
02:06:50,636 --> 02:06:52,438
[Music]
957
02:07:18,631 --> 02:07:22,701
[Applause]
958
02:07:27,606 --> 02:07:33,278
It's given me a career that is amazing, I
mean, I never thought, you know, me, the
959
02:07:33,278 --> 02:07:36,148
kid from the projects, what the
hell was I going to do
960
02:07:36,148 --> 02:07:41,253
When you put creativity out there, what
you get back is, wow, amazing
961
02:07:42,054 --> 02:07:44,723
If you really respect yourself,
you love yourself, you
962
02:07:44,723 --> 02:07:47,659
love what you do, people will learn
how to cope with you
963
02:07:47,926 --> 02:07:50,295
They need, all these corporations,
all these businesses,
964
02:07:50,295 --> 02:07:54,066
these fashion houses, they need the
drama, they need all that
965
02:07:54,333 --> 02:07:56,735
I wish to God I had videotaped
every day of my
966
02:07:56,735 --> 02:07:59,204
life, though, I'd be a really
rich queen right now
967
02:08:00,606 --> 02:08:03,575
What they do does have impact, it
does affect the whole world
968
02:08:03,609 --> 02:08:09,681
It's been an honor for me to sit with Willy
Ninja and Hector Extravaganza and all
969
02:08:09,681 --> 02:08:12,618
these people as a total outsider
who knows nothing
970
02:08:12,618 --> 02:08:16,455
And partake in all this, you
know, bedazzlement and
971
02:08:16,455 --> 02:08:19,091
to help judge the contest, it's
really been fun for me
972
02:08:19,658 --> 02:08:23,962
If only like the world didn't have stereotypes
or the hangups about round being
973
02:08:23,962 --> 02:08:28,333
GLBT, like I could just imagine how much
more beautiful this world would be with
974
02:08:28,333 --> 02:08:30,602
the creativeness that comes
out of this subculture
975
02:08:30,602 --> 02:08:35,040
Be safe and certain in what you do
and don't grow up too fast
976
02:08:35,607 --> 02:08:39,144
Take time out to live before
you start making
977
02:08:39,144 --> 02:08:41,613
decisions that are just going
to hold you back
978
02:08:41,613 --> 02:08:45,784
I have a lot of doors open to me
in Spain, they know who
979
02:08:45,784 --> 02:08:48,954
I am, they know what I'm about,
they know what I can do
980
02:08:48,954 --> 02:08:51,290
So they open a lot of doors to me
981
02:08:51,557 --> 02:08:54,426
The point is, never give up,
and that's what the
982
02:08:54,426 --> 02:08:57,596
legacy will continue is as long
as no one gives up
983
02:08:57,996 --> 02:09:00,399
Let me live, let me feel the rain, let me
984
02:09:00,399 --> 02:09:03,702
feel the sun, let me be happy,
let me feel alive
985
02:09:03,702 --> 02:09:08,140
Today I'm fighting for the cause
to keep hope alive
986
02:09:08,774 --> 02:09:12,277
It's not over until it's over
and it's not over yet
987
02:09:12,678 --> 02:09:16,615
There's a rumor going around that
we've never heard before
988
02:09:16,615 --> 02:09:20,686
Are you an E.B. or an Y.E.B. or are you
989
02:09:20,686 --> 02:09:23,322
the new mother of the house?
A woman of love
990
02:09:23,622 --> 02:09:28,093
I always look to everything in my
family, but I am the mother
991
02:09:28,594 --> 02:09:32,097
One of totally different awards,
992
02:09:32,564 --> 02:09:37,736
congratulations, it's going to
get some beer up in you
993
02:09:38,604 --> 02:09:44,743
The categories are face, woman's
runway, Vogue
994
02:09:44,743 --> 02:09:50,516
film, butch queen up in drags,
film queen sex siren
995
02:09:50,616 --> 02:09:57,322
Are you ready? Are you bitches ready to walk
for me? Bring it to the runway now
996
02:09:57,623 --> 02:10:01,460
How do I look, just real mysterious?
997
02:10:06,265 --> 02:10:11,036
How do I look, just real mysterious?
998
02:10:17,643 --> 02:10:22,981
Bring it to the runway now
999
02:10:37,596 --> 02:10:39,832
Just mysterious
1000
02:10:40,599 --> 02:10:42,901
How do I look
1001
02:10:49,174 --> 02:10:50,976
Walk for me
1002
02:11:01,620 --> 02:11:04,990
Just real mysterious
1003
02:11:07,626 --> 02:11:12,631
How do I look, just real mysterious?
1004
02:11:17,636 --> 02:11:25,944
Bring it to the runway now
1005
02:11:25,944 --> 02:11:33,285
How do I look, just real mysterious?
1006
02:11:36,488 --> 02:11:41,593
How do I look, just real mysterious?
1007
02:11:41,593 --> 02:12:04,616
How do I look, just real mysterious? How
do I look, just real mysterious?
1008
02:12:04,616 --> 02:12:07,185
Bring it to the runway now
1009
02:12:09,621 --> 02:12:11,590
Just real mysterious
1010
02:12:18,597 --> 02:12:20,899
Just real mysterious
1011
02:12:40,652 --> 02:12:49,661
How do I look
1012
02:12:55,634 --> 02:12:56,635
It's a celebration
1013
02:12:57,602 --> 02:13:00,005
Let's celebrate to be alive
1014
02:13:00,005 --> 02:13:01,640
It's a celebration
1015
02:13:01,640 --> 02:13:04,643
Let's celebrate to be alive
1016
02:13:04,643 --> 02:13:05,944
It's a celebration
1017
02:13:06,645 --> 02:13:09,414
Let's celebrate to be alive
1018
02:13:09,414 --> 02:13:10,716
It's a celebration
1019
02:13:10,716 --> 02:13:14,086
Let's celebrate to be alive
1020
02:13:14,619 --> 02:13:18,490
People can't be very cruel
1021
02:13:18,623 --> 02:13:23,161
Life can't be so very hard
1022
02:13:23,595 --> 02:13:27,632
But you need another that
you're not alone
1023
02:13:27,632 --> 02:13:32,237
So be happy and celebrate
1024
02:13:32,604 --> 02:13:34,973
So be with me
1025
02:13:34,973 --> 02:13:37,042
Give yourself a chance
1026
02:13:37,042 --> 02:13:39,011
I understand
1027
02:13:39,611 --> 02:13:42,280
What you're going through
1028
02:13:46,618 --> 02:13:48,553
So don't give up
1029
02:13:48,620 --> 02:13:50,822
Come from the center of the rain
1030
02:13:50,822 --> 02:13:51,723
It's a celebration
1031
02:13:52,624 --> 02:13:55,293
Let's celebrate to be alive
1032
02:13:55,594 --> 02:13:56,595
It's a celebration
1033
02:13:56,595 --> 02:13:59,931
Let's celebrate to be alive
1034
02:13:59,931 --> 02:14:01,099
It's a celebration
1035
02:14:01,600 --> 02:14:04,436
Let's celebrate to be okay
1036
02:14:04,603 --> 02:14:05,470
It's a celebration
1037
02:14:06,605 --> 02:14:09,408
Let's celebrate to be alive
1038
02:14:11,610 --> 02:14:27,025
Let's celebrate to be alive
1039
02:14:28,593 --> 02:14:32,197
People can't be very cruel
1040
02:14:32,597 --> 02:14:36,601
Life can't be so very hard
1041
02:14:36,601 --> 02:14:41,406
But you need a lot that you're not alone
1042
02:14:41,606 --> 02:14:45,944
So be happy and celebrate
1043
02:14:46,611 --> 02:14:50,916
So that you will please give
yourself a chance
1044
02:14:50,916 --> 02:14:55,987
I understand that you're going through
1045
02:15:00,625 --> 02:15:04,162
So don't get in box, come and celebrate
1046
02:15:04,629 --> 02:15:28,186
It's a Penal THIS Pyre
1047
02:15:28,186 --> 02:16:13,865
It's a upholding the It's a Syria
big Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay
1048
02:16:13,932 --> 02:16:15,267
It's a Syria big song
1049
02:16:15,333 --> 02:16:15,634
It's a Syria big song
1050
02:16:15,634 --> 02:16:18,403
Let's a Syria big to be in love
1051
02:16:18,537 --> 02:16:19,838
It's a Syria big song
1052
02:16:19,938 --> 02:16:24,509
Let's a Syria big song
1053
02:16:26,077 --> 02:16:26,177
(upbeat music)
1054
02:16:29,447 --> 02:16:32,050
Oh yeah, yeah, hmm
1055
02:16:34,419 --> 02:16:36,988
(upbeat music)
1056
02:17:04,416 --> 02:17:15,193
(upbeat music)
1057
02:17:23,401 --> 02:17:26,504
Do not fear me, human.
1058
02:17:28,540 --> 02:17:31,076
I've come from afar to grant
you every whim.
1059
02:17:31,409 --> 02:17:34,846
God has commanded that I please thee
1060
02:17:34,846 --> 02:17:38,516
to give you true happiness
1061
02:17:38,516 --> 02:17:42,621
and love in its purest form.
1062
02:17:45,190 --> 02:17:46,825
Take my hand, my love,
1063
02:17:48,226 --> 02:17:50,996
and I will take you to a place
filled with wonders.
1064
02:17:53,264 --> 02:17:57,302
I think you humans call it paradise.
1065
02:17:59,804 --> 02:18:00,272
I am the one who is the
one who is the one
1066
02:18:00,305 --> 02:18:04,342
and I call it home.
1067
02:18:11,650 --> 02:18:17,656
All my life I've walked on holy ground
1068
02:18:20,058 --> 02:18:25,030
Before you came my world was burning down
1069
02:18:25,063 --> 02:18:32,070
And every time I think about
you loving me
1070
02:18:36,174 --> 02:18:38,743
It sets me free
1071
02:18:47,619 --> 02:18:50,422
All my life I've walked on holy ground
1072
02:18:51,723 --> 02:18:54,025
Before you came my world was burning down
1073
02:18:54,426 --> 02:18:59,064
And every time I think about
you loving me
1074
02:19:00,999 --> 02:19:02,801
It sets me free
1075
02:19:04,436 --> 02:19:07,038
Oh, I loved you
1076
02:19:07,539 --> 02:19:08,606
Loved you
1077
02:19:09,741 --> 02:19:13,478
And God commands me to grant
you every wish
1078
02:19:13,745 --> 02:19:15,513
And make your dreams come true
1079
02:19:17,282 --> 02:19:20,485
I've come from a place that is high above
1080
02:19:21,853 --> 02:19:23,021
Where angels fly
1081
02:19:23,488 --> 02:19:25,323
And grows as the purest love
1082
02:19:26,057 --> 02:19:29,361
So climb aboard my wings and
you and I will fly
1083
02:19:31,596 --> 02:19:33,465
To paradise
1084
02:19:37,335 --> 02:19:39,471
I loved you
1085
02:19:41,106 --> 02:19:43,274
And you will love me too
1086
02:19:43,541 --> 02:19:46,778
And in return I'll be so good to you
1087
02:19:48,079 --> 02:19:50,715
All your life I've watched
you move with grace
1088
02:19:52,050 --> 02:19:54,519
And your loving touch and
your angelic face
1089
02:19:55,453 --> 02:19:59,157
And I command that you will
be with me for life
1090
02:20:00,992 --> 02:20:03,361
I'll be your guiding guide
1091
02:20:06,765 --> 02:20:08,433
I loved you
1092
02:20:10,335 --> 02:20:12,103
Please believe it's true
1093
02:20:12,237 --> 02:20:13,471
Oh, I love you boy
1094
02:20:13,938 --> 02:20:15,640
Cause God commands me too
1095
02:20:17,542 --> 02:20:20,945
Hi ha ya, hiya ya, hiya ya ya
1096
02:20:22,480 --> 02:20:24,149
I loved you
1097
02:20:26,184 --> 02:20:28,019
I loved you
1098
02:20:29,954 --> 02:20:33,224
I loved you
1099
02:20:33,691 --> 02:20:37,061
I loved you.