Thousands Attend GMHC's 22nd Annual House of Latex Ball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, NY — On Saturday, August 18, GMHC held its 22nd annual House of Latex Ball at Roseland Ballroom featuring 26 categories for competitions in dance, vogueing, fashion, appearance and attitude. Over 2,000 people from the NYC area, across the nation and around the world attended the ball which raised nearly $28,000. The Latex Ball is considered the largest ball for the House and Ball community in the world. Members of the Imperial Court of New York, one of the event's generous sponsors, and fashion models from Wilhemina Models also attended. The event incorporated HIV testing and sexual health messaging provided by GMHC, other community-based organizations, and NYC and NY State health departments. "The House of Latex Ball is an important public health intervention that primarily reaches Black and Latino youth and adults who are disproportionately impacted by HIV," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, CEO of GMHC. "Plus the ball taps into the creativity, resiliency and strength that exist within the House and Ball community."

This year, the competition categories were designed around the fantastical theme of "The Enchanted Forest."  Individual and team winners were selected by a group of esteemed judges. The attendees competed amongst each other for trophies and cash prizes in various categories. Prior to the start of competitions, Harmonica Sunbeam, Divinity Banks, Foxxjazell, Sir Honey Davenport and Zebra Katz featuring Njena Redd Foxx performed at the delight of the audience.  Awards based on excellence in performance, creativity and community service were also given to respected leaders in the community.

The House and Ballroom community, comprised predominately though not exclusively of Black and Latino LGBTQ individuals, relies on the organizational structure of "houses." A "house" is considered a club or "surrogate family" which has a "house mother," "house father" and "children" who adopt the house name as their surname (e.g., Luna Khan, Father of the House of Khan, etc.). The young and older members of the houses compete in balls and related activities.  The house mothers and fathers often provide support for LGBTQ youth who otherwise might be homeless, nearly homeless, and/or without any parental guidance.

The 1990 documentary, "Paris is Burning," directed by Jennie Livingston, chronicled the family structure of the House and Ball community over the course of seven years. To this day, this movie is still considered the definitive film about the community.

The House and Ball community lost many members due to the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic beginning in the 1980s.  GMHC's House of Latex formed in 1989, as an HIV prevention program, continues to link community members with resources to improve health outcomes, and provide workshops on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Staff members from GMHC's Community Health and Research Department conduct outreach at balls, other youth venues and through social media networks to incorporate innovative approaches to HIV prevention and safer sex messaging.   Moreover, GMHC hosts mini-balls, also known as "kiki functions," that reach hundreds of youth and young adults, offering HIV testing and prevention materials. 

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About GMHC
GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.