Frequently Asked Questions

In the late 80s, the House and Ballroom community experienced the AIDS-related deaths of a large number of community members, as well as an alarming increase in new HIV infections.  The Latex Project was founded in 1990 by members of the House and Ballroom community (including Avis Pendavis, Hector Extravaganza, Derrick Ebony, and many others).  They came to GMHC and asked the agency to become more involved and to help raise awareness about prevention and provide support to the community members living with HIV and AIDS.  These iconic House and Ballroom leaders, including Robert Penn, Gary Paul Wright (who became the founder of the House of Latex), Arbert Latex Evisu (who became the mother of the House of Latex), Torrence Allen (who became the Father of the House of Latex), all of whom worked at GMHC.  Together, GMHC staff and House and Ballroom leaders created this project, and the House of Latex Ball.  For 23 years, GMHC has remained committed to the community, hosting the Latex Ball, even as the House of Latex project went inactive, and the funding streams that had paid for the Latex Ball vanished.

 

Why does GMHC charge for admission now?  

In previous years, GMHC had funding from federal, state and city grants that covered the cost of this event as it was an HIV intervention.  GMHC no longer receives funds to cover the cost, and as such, in 2006, had to begin to charge a nominal fee for tickets in 2009.  With the normal cost to enter a ball in NYC being $30, the $20 charged for this ball is still a good deal.  We also offer discounted rates for early ticket purchase.  GMHC does not make money on the ball, but the door cost and the sponsorship by companies (when secured), helps to cover the cost of holding the event.  GMHC is consistently active in looking for new sponsors, as well as ways to reduce the door cost. We also continue to seek government, corporate and foundation support to cover the cost of producing this event, one of the largest balls in the United States.  GMHC provides free HIV testing every year (with results in 30 minutes) as well as health education.  GMHC invites 30 other organizations to join us to educate the house and ball participants and guests about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  

 

GMHC sells VIP tickets as a way to increase funding raised to pay for the ball.  Only those age 21 and over who purchase VIP tickets are admitted to the floor where alcohol can be purchased.  It is not served to the general public.  GMHC has a harm reduction approach in our services – the agency hosts a wide array of 12-step programs and provides support to those in recovery from drugs and alcohol.  

 

The Latex Ball is an intervention tied into a long-standing social and cultural event.  It is not a fundraiser, but a door charge and tickets are required for entrance in order to pay for the costs of producing the event.

 

GMHC routinely seeks funding for our HIV prevention and testing programs which include interventions in communities. GMHC needs to find the money to host the ball.  While GMHC works to contain costs and secure donation of materials and services, we do have to pay for some expenses.  As such we look for sponsors to help cover these costs – including the cost for the runway, security, venue rental, the printing costs for the flyers, trophies and other items.  We look for sponsors who would have sensitivity to and awareness of the House and Ballroom community.  We also reach out to members of the House and Ballroom community themselves and those who have worked with them in the past.  As with our other major events, the Latex Ball costs money to run.  Generally expenses for the ball come to nearly $50,000 on an annual basis; though GMHC always works to find ways to do it with less expenses.  GMHC moved venues this year both to secure a better deal, and worked hard to find companies who could help sponsor, and thereby, pay for the Ball.  Without the money from sponsors and the ticket price at the door, there would be no way to pay for the Ball.  GMHC has kept the commitment to hold this ball and health fair for 23 years, and will continue to do so.  

 

The Latex Ball is coordinated by members of the House and Ballroom community who gather annually to brainstorm on theme, categories and award recipients, working with GMHC’s own Luna Khan, a ballroom legend.  These members are from a wide array of houses and the members step forward to volunteer their services.  15 houses participate in the Latex Ball each year, and many send representatives to serve on the working group.  The houses also put together tables of members to participate in the event that night.  The volunteer committee members donate their time and energy to make the event a success.  While they are unpaid, they are always heralded at the Ball.  GMHC staff--predominately from the Community Health and Research Department, led by Luna Khan and Dominique Prodigy--coordinate internal GMHC support.  They work with the Development, Finance and Communications Departments at GMHC, among others, to assist with promoting the event and securing financial support.

 

This event is one of, if not the, biggest balls in the NYC area.  Many of the members of the House and Ballroom community look forward to this event every year, and people fly in from around the world to watch and/or to participate in the categories.  This ball also provides GMHC staff an opportunity to directly talk with House and Ballroom participants, and a health fair (to disseminate information and offer direct contact with 30 health providers), as well as provide free on-site rapid HIV testing.  Ultimately, GMHC’s steadfast commitment is to help the House and Ballroom community members stay healthy and protect themselves.  The Latex Ball also offers opportunities to connect to services, at GMHC or at other agencies.  GMHC made a commitment and GMHC has kept it.