House of LaBeija

The Royal House of LaBeija is a prominent drag family founded by Crystal LaBeija and Lottie LaBeija in 1972.[1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America.[2] Their first event was called "Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presents the first annual House of Labeija Ball at Up the Downstairs Case on West 115th Street & 5th Avenue in Harlem, NY."[1] This is thought to be the birth of house culture within the ballroom scene—as it is known today.[3] Houses serve as alternative families, primarily for gay, gender nonconforming and transgender youth and others who feel ostracized from conventional support systems.[4]

House mothers and fathers

Like other drag families, the House of LaBeija is structured like a family, with a house “mother” and “father” who oversee and direct the group.

House Mothers
Name Tenure Notes
Crystal LaBeija1972–1982Founding House Mother
Pepper LaBeija1982–2003Performed against Avis Pendavis and Dorian Corey at "Legends Statements and Stars Part 1: Mother vs Mother"[5]
Kia LaBeija2017–2019[6]
Vivian LaBeija 2019-present

House Fathers
Name Tenure Notes
Tommie LaBeija1986–2016[5]
Freddie LaBeija Powell2017–2020[7]

Notable members
Name Tenure Notes
Junior LaBeijaEmceed "Paris Is Burning Ball" and "Avis Pendavis Presents: Autumn in the Fall," both in 1984[5]
Andre Ovanhess LaBeija RevlonDec 1988 – 1992[5]Founded the House of Mizrahi with Heidi Allure in 1992
Gerald Dupree LaBeijaAttended "Legends, Statements, and Stars Part 2: Club Red Zone in 1990[5]
Portia LaBeija McQueen"Peppa LaBeija, Portia LaBeija McQueen and John Moschino yo McQueen Ball" held in 2000[5]
Derek LaBeijaAppeared on "The Star and Buc Wild Radio Show" in 2005 to promote "How Do I Look?" film/documentary[5]

Past events

Event Name Date Notes
Peppa LaBeija and the House of LaBeija Presents: "The Royal House of Sunshine Balls"[5] 1989
Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The House of LaBeija Ball"[5] 1990
Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The Labeija Ball Honoring Peppa LaBeija[5] 1998

References

  1. Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
  2. Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.
  3. Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'". Vice. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  4. Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  5. Burrus, Kevin Omni (April 30, 2015). "Harlem Ballroom Historic Timeline". Archived from the original on December 27, 2018.
  6. Graham, Annabel (January 18, 2018). "The Underside of Glamour: An Interview of Kia LaBeija". Autre Magazine. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  7. Silva, Horacio (December 12, 2018). "Kia LaBeija Is Remodeling One of Ballroom's Legendary Houses For the Future". W Magazine. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
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