Voguing Saves Lives
Every queer person is told that their life is going to be hard; whether it be from their parents or by the media, the message always gets across. However, having safe spaces where one can express themselves and be embraced by their community can be an incredibly powerful thing that can save people’s lives.
This is especially pertinent in trans communities who see folks like them being assaulted and killed constantly: on the news and within their communities. Last year, Human Rights Campaign reported that 2021 was the deadliest year for transgender and nonbinary people, with 50 trans and nonbianry individuals who were violently killed. This study also stated that they believed this increase in murders has a direct link to anti-trans legislation and rhetoric circulating through the United States. Transgender youth also have the highest risk of suicide; a 2022 study showed that “82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide” (Austin et al., 2022).
Drag ballroom culture has become a space for trans and queer people to escape from the cards they have been dealt by society. The trans community has historically faced prejudice for simply existing, and the drag ballroom scene has been their place of solitude. The ballroom scene has created families, communities, creative outlets, and safe spaces — all things that trans and queer people have never been guaranteed. I believe that ballroom culture has saved the lives of many trans and queer people.
An integral aspect of ballroom culture is Voguing, a form of dance that was created as a way to “throw shade” without actually fighting with one another. Voguing became a metaphor for how this community has historically been silenced and unseen; because when you’re voguing, everyone is watching you.
What is Voguing ? Voguing History — Legendary Voguers
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As a queer person, I know how important representation has been for me throughout my life. For me, it was seeing queer people on television, in movies, and in books that was so important to me because I did not have queer people in my life around me to relate to. Without seeing other gay people, I never would have accepted myself or embraced my identity the way I’m able to today. Throughout history, trans people have not been visible. Within ballroom culture, trans and queer folks are able to interact with their community and simply see people like themselves thrive in that space. Shows like POSE have made trans and queer individuals visible and their voices heard. Without representation and visibility, we do not exist.
The drag families are the most influential part of the ballroom culture that I believe has saved the lives of so many people in this community. These chosen families take one another in and cherish each other, giving a sense of family to individuals who have possibly never had that. According to an article from the Center for American Progress, up to 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+, even though they only make up about 10% of all youth. It is clear that queer and trans youth are disproportionately represented here. This has to do with family structure, religion, values, and many other reasons why this community is often rejected by their family. So, it was no coincidence that the ballroom scene created this structure as it was something this community was in need of: identity, support, and love.
The ballroom scene grew in the 70s and 80s as a result of all of the struggles that were plaguing queer and trans folks at the time. Today, the ballroom scene continues to be an extremely important aspect of many queer communities, and its existence has touched the lives of so many young trans and queer individuals. For nearly 50 years, this community has uplifted and saved trans and queer communities simply by creating space and giving one another a voice.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/gay-and-transgender-youth-homelessness-by-the-numbers/
