And the Category Is?

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A 2023 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Nonfiction and an Electric Literature “Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Book of 2022” selection, this work serves as a love letter to the vibrant Black and Latinx LGBTQ underground subculture, exploring its rich legacy and impact on popular culture. Ballroom is not just a phenomenon; it is an underground movement that began over a century ago, created by LGBTQ African American and Latino individuals in Harlem. It stands as a bold response to the systemic marginalization of minority groups. Drawing from his deep connections within the community, Ricky Tucker reveals the intricate cultural tapestry and ongoing significance of house and Ballroom, spaces where trans lives are celebrated and queer youth find acceptance. Each chapter is framed as a “category” (such as Vogue and Realness), providing an impressionistic view into this subculture, its history, and its mainstream appropriation. Exclusive interviews with prominent LGBTQ/POC Ballroom figures—like Lee Soulja and Twiggy Pucci Garçon—highlight their lives and activism. As public interest in Ballroom surges, particularly with shows like FX’s Pose, Tucker’s narratives illuminate its relevance in pop culture, dance, and public policy affecting queer communities. Welcome to the norm-defying realness of Ballroom.