History of Ballroom Culture

By mvaden
  • Start of Annual Hamilton Lodge Ball in Harlem

    Start of Annual Hamilton Lodge Ball in Harlem
    Ballroom culture began to pick up speed when the Hamilton Lodge Balls began. These were the first recorded interracial Drag Balls. LGBTQ attendees would dress in genderbending ways.
  • Wales Padlock bill passed

    The Wales Padlock Bill made media “depicting or dealing with, the subject of sex degeneracy, or sex perversion" illegal. This resulted in an oppression of the drag balls and queer media due to police getting to decide what was considered "obscene".
  • First Black Winner at Hamilton Lodge Ball

    The Hamilton drag balls had been having interracial balls since 1869. 67 years later they had their first Black first place winner.
  • Wales Padlock bill repealed

    Wales Padlock bill finally repealed after 40 years.
  • "The Queen" documentary released

    "The Queen" documentary released
    "The Queen" documentary, starring Crystal LaBeija, first premiered. It documented the goings on of drag ball culture of the time.
  • House of LaBeija Created

    House of LaBeija Created
    House of LaBeija created by Crystal and Lottie LaBeija when they became tired of the racism they experienced in the current drag ball culture. They set the tone for Ballroom culture as we know it. It started with Crystal LaBeija taking a stand and became a Black and Brown Queer pageant where everyone could walk, no matter their gender, orientation, or financial standing. This focus on inclusion was a big difference from the prior balls.
  • House of Dupree created

    House of Dupree created
    House of Dupree created by Paris Dupree
  • House of Xtravaganza created

    House of Xtravaganza created
    House of Xtravaganza created by Angie and Hector Valle Xtravaganza
  • House of Ninja created

    House of Ninja created
    House of Ninja created by Willi Ninja
  • House of Aviance created

    House of Aviance created
    House of Aviance created by Mother Juan Aviance
  • House of Miyake-Mugler created

    House of Miyake-Mugler created
    House of Miyake-Mugler created by David, Raleigh and Julian Mugler
  • "Paris is Burning" documentary released

    "Paris is Burning" documentary released
    "Paris is Burning" documentary released
  • House of Amazon created

    House of Amazon created
    House of Amazon created by Leiomy Maldonado
  • Pose (TV Show) first airs

    Pose (TV Show) first airs
    Pose (TV Show) first airs. It is a fictionalized tv series created by Janet Mock to capture much of the time period.
  • Legendary (TV show) first airs

    Legendary (TV show) first airs
    Legendary (TV show) first airs. A vogue competition show that showcased one of the things drag is known best for.