Humans of Ballroom

02/24/2023

Dear Ballroom,

You found me at 15 when didnt see myself in the black community. The only examples I had were “The real World Philadelphia” and Noah’s Arc which all seemed to far away.

It was until I saw my first clip of the Clubhouse back in 2006 that I was ate awe of a community filled with people just like me. A whole new world was opened to me as I entered 9th grade alone.

I would spend hours at home watching jayon992 clips in secret wishing to vogue. It was through Ballroomthrowbacks that my love solidified as I now humanwas able to dive deep into 90s - Y2k Ballroom.

I didnt know we were this rich into history. There was a world for me that would validate my existence when the other world keeps trying to get rid of it.

Ballroom has since giving me everything. It gave me a sense of self. It strengthen my talents. It exploited my weaknesses, it gave me life and lessons.

Ballroom is the reasons I started this page. It how I found path. It coexisted in my spiritual journey and it continues to. So, I, THANK YOU.

Ballroom is BLACK.
Ballroom is beauty
Ballroom is Spiritual.
Ballroom is church
Ballroom is life & death
Ballroom is home.
Ballroom is everywhere.
Ballroom is timeless
Ballroom is feminine
Ballroom is WORTHY
It’s omnipresent.

This next video “Dear Ballroom, THANK YOU” is dedicated to the community. No one can tell our stories the way we can. I hope everyone who will watch it feel what i felt when Ballroom found me.

Sincerely,
Dontae

08/31/2022

08/15/2022

“ At first, I wanted to walk just to live out my fantasies of glitz, glam and fashion. Now, whenever i do walk a ball it’s because i want the world, especially the QPOC world to know that I WAS here. Regardless of physical disability or whatever.

Everyday routines can sometimes be a challenge and public transit isn’t always as accommodating as they should be. Ive had bus drivers refuse to give me rides. The train stations don’t have always have elevators and the ones that do aren’t always working properly. Having cerebral palsy and being wheelchair bound is a full time job that never ends. And while I know people who have it worse then i do. It doesn’t make my own struggles any less valid. I literally do the best i again.

In terms of being a queer/transgender woman ballroom has treated me wonderfully. That’s what I love about our scene - its for US by US. Im a puerto rican trans girl born and raised in newark. Finding ballroom showed me that there’s people out there just like me! Now in terms of being disabled unless you or someone you love in the scene is disabled… no one thinks much about accessibility and what its like for me. I was told once “this community has bigger problems” in a way i had to respect that bc we do. But again im here, i exist. Like octavia st Laurent said “this world is for me to honey” (Octavia is one of my BIGGEST femme queen inspirations)

QPOC and the ballroom scene is magic in the real life form. Iman hill said “we are the deities of this earth, we are the gods and goddesses of this planet” and ballroom is where we do some of are best magic I feel” -

07/11/2022

(2) I would say me being able to express myself more added to my happiness. My hair, my clothes, the way I am outside in the streets around everyday society makes me happier. Being honest, my guidance contributed to my growth within the past year. I’m blessed to have people like my ‘mothers’ Legendary Tutu and Bootz and my ‘Father’ legendary Ken Mattel who have been invested not only with my transition but me as a whole. They make sure I’m never on the same level and continue elevate myself as much as I can.

I think life is teaching me right now is that anybody can switch up on you and literally time waits for nobody so just do yourself a favor and remove all toxic energy away from
You. Dutchess is what makes me human. When I say that, I mean me. I am Dutchess. A lot of people know ‘Mamaa Níyaa,’ but very few actually knows Dutchess. We can thank Benzina for that because she real life named me. As far as my journey, I want the newer generation to take from me is to be you! Make sure you want to do it for the right reasons and not a trend. The shoes transwoman walk in isn’t a mockery. .niyaah__
-

07/11/2022

(1) The funny this about is “Mamma Níyaa” came from a joke. To keep it bean with you, one day I was working with this guy he was kinda dangerous. It got me hype a little bit, because his aesthetics was so…ugh, 😫. I ran to my “godmother” about it and she gave, “Mamma Niyaa wouldn’t want to be ya!” Her and Charmin Pl***oy then started rhyming the name to different jingles like the Super Mario Brothers & the Chia commercial. That’s how the name came about.

Before my transition, I guess It was a lot of deep rooted things within myself that triggered my anger. It’s funny, then, everything used to bother me. Now, you have to keep poking the bull before I see red. Was I scared? Absolutely not! Not towards the scene anyways. More so towards the relationship between me and my mother. I never wanted to jeopardize, but at some point you got to do what’s best for you!

In the beginning, I took 7 months off from my entire family until they started looking for me. My mother and I now typically talk EVERYDAY. It’s almost a must. I became a mediator in the family all of the sudden, lmao.
—

06/27/2022

“Being banji is like a freedom to me. It’s honestly instilled in me—so I can’t really explain where it comes from.” -

—

Image captured by . Follow for more nostalgic-based photos that captures the essence of the ballroom scene through the lens of

06/22/2022

Q: Are You Dojacat?
A: yes

Q: Then why do they call you Dojacat if you’re Venus?
A: Lmao, are these actually the questions?

Humansofballroom: Yes, I’m posting it up as a Q&A
: Okay, so I’m changing my answer. NO! She’s my daughter.

Q: What advice do you give to Dojacat before she performs?
A: Go out there and don’t make me look like a fool. If you forget the lyrics, Start duckwalking. And just dip.

—
Image captured by . Follow for more nostalgic-based photos that captures the essence of the ballroom scene through the lens of

03/02/2022

Legendary ASIA WEST
Music: Pumpdabeat/Capital Kaos - Would You Mind

10/01/2021

“Feminine is just a part of Michael! The creative side! The fearless side! Getting a chance to be Feminine made me unstoppable! The ballroom part of my former life is the best part and what kept me living as Feminine for so long. I am Michael that’s loving, caring, and unique.

I was having a conversation with a friend earlier this year. I’d say maybe the beginning of Spring and I was just going on and on. They were so shocked to hear stories about my beginnings that they said my life should be a movie. From that moment, I said ‘He’s right. I’m ‘gonna write a book.’

The process of writing this book was very therapeutic and relaxing. I rented a vacation spot by the water. And went back down memory lane. Writing the truth is easy. It was remembering dates and times more than anything. I also have a cousin Asheeda Irene who wrote the book “Tears From An Unsuccessful Su***de Attempt”, she’s an ally to the community and an artist who told me she would help me with editing and guiding me through all the steps. So, after I wrote it all, I sent it to her and the rest is history!

I am an open book to many, but the one part of my life that has always been off-limits was escorting. It’s not something that I’m proud of and I never had a conversation with my family about it. I talk about it in my book sharing my thoughts on it and how well I did it. Also sharing some interesting stories about a few of the people that I’ve met during my time of making coins.

At the height of trans visibility, I faced very little backlash for de-transitioning. Very little. I’m so happy because I stand with the community. I love my Trans Sisters and Brothers. Along with the rising number of trans people, the rising of detransitioners will grow simultaneously! I don’t wanna stop anyone from transitioning or talk trash about the trans community. I just wanna be the person there to represent in case someone else is struggling with what I went through. They can read my book or watch my YouTube videos and say he made it through that so can I!”