Paris Is Burning!!!

Paris Is Burning
Drag Queens and their Fantasy Balls


From the perspective, of any one of the numerous drag queens in the film, we would be highly encouraged to go to one of their “Drag Balls.” Many of these transvestites are suffering from the harsh views and misconceptions placed on them by society, and family members who have rejected them, and simply struggling with their day to day lives in making ends meet. At their “Balls,” they can first off, be in a comfortable and supportive setting where people understand them. The can, build their self confidence, and understand that they are not alone in being transgender and transvestites. Lastly, they can make have their glitz and glamour for one night, and forget about the hustle and the ghetto until they walk outside the drag house. I think these are the three main reasons why, we would be encouraged, from the perspective of people in the film, to go to a Drag Ball.

The first thing that I noticed about the Drag house setting, wasn’t only all the heckling and laughing going on, but the support and the kinship that went on. The Drag house created an atmosphere, where the guys don’t have to feel shy about being women. They were proud, and they strutted their stuff! Everyone pushed each other to be better, and you could tell that it was a community where everyone had each other’s back. For these people, where many people had deserted them in their lives, a drag house is a very comforting place. This was even more evident, when some of the Drag Queens changed their last names to the house names. Drag house friends become family for those that no longer have families because they have been kicked out for being a transvestite. Drag Balls seemed very accepting, and they didn’t judge. They just supported each person through what life was throwing at them at the time.

Secondly, the activities that the Drag queens did at their balls built confidence, while people were critiquing them all the while. They may not have realized it, but while they are having their fantasy ball, they were practicing many of the skills needed to deal with people that they would encounter on a daily basis. For example, during the competition, the constant would have to walk with their head up high, portraying their category as best as they could, while all eyes were on them, and people were critiquing them. Noise, yelling and distractions were going on but they were to remain in character. If you’ve ever seen a mahu walking around Chinatown, she walks the same way: head up high, like it’s none of your business, disregarding the stares, just strutting on by. The Drag Balls help build the confidence of these transgender and transvestites, and prepare them for situations that they encounter every day. They also get to meet other people just like them, and create friendships and relationships, so that they don’t feel alone or lost as a transgender in the world.



Lastly, I think we would be encouraged to go to a Drag Ball, because from a transvestite and transgender perspective, this is the one special night where we can make the ball out to be whatever we want it to be, and can have all of our fantasies come true. They live in such a world of judgment and stark reality, and while participating in these balls, they can get away from it all, while being with a crowd that gets them. They don’t have to think about where their next meal is coming from, or the fact that they don’t have the money for rent. They just want to escape the struggle: they’ll even steal a dress to wear so that they can come and compete in the ball. This aspect, I believe is the most alluring of all if I were attending a Drag Ball.

In the end, Drag Balls provide much solace and a sense of family for these transvestites, and transgender men who have been rejected from their families, and have in-turn adopted their drag house friends as family. The balls have a comfortable atmosphere, where everyone is supportive and can understand where you are coming from to some extent. The balls build confidence, and at the ball, anything is possible. You can have your wildest dreams come true, and with this attitude, the Drag Balls leave transvestites reaching for their dreams, and believing that they can succeed.