Paris Is Burning

Paris is Burning is a 1990 documentary that follows gay, queer, transgender, african-american, latino communities, shedding light on a sub-culture they created by their own. It explores sexuality, class, race and gender issues of the time and discusses the real situation these people face every day by just being themselves and not conforming to societies "normalities".

I wanted to watch this documentary to help gain some extra knowledge on queer culture and gender issues which relates to the subject of my essay and practical piece.

To watch these people live their every day lives as their true selves and form such a solid, rich and unique culture of their own in the face of white rich straight America is truly inspiring. Before watching this documentary I had no idea of how rich and spectacular queer culture/history was for people in the 1980s/90s.

These people came together to create a type of ballroom competition that focused on voguing (dance form), fashion, drag and various different art forms in Harlem, NYC.

What I found most interesting was the way in which they focused these forms of expression around being rich, white, and often "straight-acting". Some of the categories in the competitions where judged upon who appears the most "straight", the winner being the most convincing. Being suppressed by society for either their colour of skin, gender or sexualities they looked up to straight white america as an almost goal.

"This is white America. Any other nationality that is not of the white set, knows this and accepts this till the day they die. That is everybody's dream and ambition as a minority - to live and look as well as a white person. It is pictured as being in America." - Pepper Labeija

"Every media you have; from TV to magazines, to movies, to films... I mean, the biggest thing that minority watches is what? "Dynasty" and "The Colbys". Umm, "All My Children" - the soap operas. Everybody has a million-dollar bracket. When they showing you a commercial from Honey Grahams to Crest, or Lestoil or Pine-sol - everybody's in their own home. The little kids for Fisher Price toys; they're not in no concrete playground. They're riding around the lawn. The pool is in the back. This is white America. And when it comes to the minorities; especially black - we as a people, for the past 400 years - is the greatest example of behaviour modification in the history of civilisation." - Pepper Laeija 

"We have had everything taken away from us, and yet we have all learned how to survive. That is why, in the ballroom circuit, it is so obvious that if you have captured the great white way of living, or looking, or dressing, or speaking - you is a marvel. " - Pepper Labeija

This was a time where being gay was something that was not accepted by society. Even today it is not fully. There are laws that protect LGBTQ communities in the majority of countries around the world, but these are often undermined by radical leaders, stubborn religions and unnecessary hatred towards people who don't conform to a straight sexuality or their gender of birth. There are currently 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death so there is still a long way to go for the LGBTQ community.

( https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/?utm_term=.ec687da1b94c ).

"I always had hopes of being a big star. But as you get older, you aim a little lower. Everybody wants to make an impression, some mark upon the world. Then you think, you've made a mark on the world if you just get through it, and a few people remember your name. Then you've left a mark. You don't have to bend the whole world. I think it's better to just enjoy it. Pay your dues, and just enjoy it. If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you." - Dorian Corey

Things I've learnt

• Helped me gain a deeper understanding of the lives of people who suffered through times where being LGBTQ was less accepted by society
• How such a strong bond between these people formed a subculture so rich and unique and how it influenced the rest of the world through music, fashion, magazines etc...
• Also made me realised how the deep rooted issue of how race and gender plays within society and how unfair it is for minorities 

What I want to take away into my work

• Inspired the way in which I can photograph models for the publication, with similar poses to pay homage to the movement that was created
• To interview the artists I'm including in my publication to gain a deeper understanding of what gender is for them and what it means today
• This documentary is an iconic piece of queer culture that has influenced many and has pioneered a movement of being proud of who you. This is something I hope to inspire in my own publication.