A Night at the Latex Ball

By Trevon James

Can I Get 1?…Can I Get 2?…How about 20? That’s the number of years GMHC and the House of Latex has been transcending house and category. Representing in the name of health, wellness and safer sex. For years they have been offering support, workshops, testings, mini-balls, and of course their historical annual Latex balls. On Saturday night the Roseland Ballroom was filled with legends, icons, and revolutionaries; all gathering for one cause, to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and how to prevent/fight it.

The event included a HIV testing area and free educational materials provided by GMHC and other community-based organizations. Fashion Revolution was this year’s theme.

The stage was dazzled with lights that streamed down the runway and back up to a glittered red and white judging table which read “LATEX BALL”. The sounds of “the beats” played by DJ Vjuan Allure resonated throughout the venue. You had no choice but to tap your big toe, swing your hair, move your body, and be a Latex even for just a moment. Supporting their community they held a pre-show to showcase upcoming artists making their mark in the Industry. Harmonica Sunbeam a drag performer hosted the segment coming out in a hot flamed body suit, with luxurious blond hair.

Performers included Baron, Nikki Exotika, Step Team For Social Justice and from Rupaul’s Drag Race Sahara Davenport (Season 2). Also making a special guest appearance was Bajan R&B/Pop singer-songwriter Shontelle; who hosted and judged a special vouging competition. 5 contestants battled it out to her remixed song “Licky” (Saul Ruiz Club Mix) for a chance to win prizes courtesy of Universal Motown. She tweeted ” So I rocked Hernan Lander shoes & jacket, Max Azria top, Rachel Roy shorts & Chrissy L jewelry. STILL can’t compete with the kids @ LatexBall!” Shontelle album entitled “No Gravity” will be in stores Sept. 21st.

“Ladies and Gentleman the show is about to begin.” An anxious crowd rushed to get to a seat as commenters Jack Mizrahi, Selvin Khan & Vouge Evolution’s Dashaun Evisu took the stage. Hyping the crowd with their fierce personalities and comedic comments they acknowledged some of the greats that were in the room. The crowd cheered and applauded as each Icon graced the stage almost seeming star struck. Right when you thought it couldn’t get any better recording artist Chrisette Michele came out and strutted her stuff in some red pumps. Seeming shy at first she went for a 2nd go and ripped the runway. The event included categories for competition in exuberant expressions of dance, vogueing and modeling of fashion designs. Some of the categories were OTA (Open-To-All) Best Dressed, Female Figure Runway, and Grand Prize Designer’s Delight: The Fashion Show. One of my favorite moments though was when Diva Davanna took the stage. She is the youngest model to had ever hit the Latex stage with her signature fierce walk, back in 2007 when she was 7.

The night was getting late and I was ready to go, but right before I did they announced a surprise guest performance from Rupaul’s Drag Race winner BeBe Zahara Benet (Season 1). She came out in her signature afro curled hair and a leopard skin outfit. With 2 male dancers and energetic choreography she performed her new single “Cameroon”. The ball was no where near finished (at 2am) and I had to leave. Overall it was an entertaining and informative night. It was amazing to see the love and pride everyone shared in the room even though it was a competition. Contestants still hugged after each round, judges still applauded, and everyone supported the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness.

Fashion REVOLUTION the 20th Annual House of Latex Ball

ROSELAND BALLROOM

239 West 52nd Street
(Between 7th & 8th Avenues)
New York, NY 10019

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010
7:00PM - 4:00AM

PRESENTED BY

ADVANCED Tickets: $20.00 | General DOOR Tickets: $20.00

Music By: DJ Vjuan Allure
Commentators: Jack Mizrahi, Selvin Khan & Dashaun Evisu

ADVANCED TICKETS are now available for purchase at GMHC on Wednesdays,Thursdays, and Fridays from 12:00pm-7:00pm UNTIL August 19, 2010. CASH ONLY.

BENEFITS OF BUYING YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE:

1. Guarantee your admission into the 20th annual Latex Ball. TICKETS WILL SALE OUT!

2. Receive PRIORITY entrance into the Ball, ahead of those who need to buy tickets at door.

*******************

Tickets can also be purchased at the Roseland Ballroom the night of the ball UNTIL capacity is reached.

The Fashion Revolution Latex Ball
Order of Categories

OTA BEST DRESSED: 2 Trophies Fashion Revolutionary

BUTCH FACE: 1 Trophy Fashion Rocks!!!

OTA OLDWAY VS NEWWAY: 2 Trophies Print It Out $

FEMALE FIGURE RUNWAY: 3 Trophies A Model’s Nightmare

TRANS MAN REALNESS: 1 Trophy GQ Man of the Year $

OTA ICON & LEGENDARY FACE: 2 Trophies

FEM QUEEN SEX SIREN: 1 Trophies La Perla of Hollywood $

DRAGS REALNESS REALNESS: 1 Trophy Anna Wintour’s Bitch $

WOMEN’S FACE: 1 Trophy Sadistic Beauty $

TWISTERS VS SISTERS: 2 Trophies Diamonds and Pearls $

BQ TEAM BODY & SEX SIREN: 2 Trophies The Poster Boys $

FEMALE FIGURE HEAD TO TOE BIG GIRL OVAHNESS: 1 Trophy The Size Issue

Grand Prize Designer’s Delight: The Fashion Show $$

OTA ICON & LEGENDARY PERFORMANCE: 2 Trophies

FEM QUEEN FACE: 1 Trophy The Ultimate Supermodel $

OTA BIZARRE: 1 Trophy A Tribute to a Creative Genius $

BQ RUNWAY: 4 Trophies The All American Couture $

OTA LABELS: 2 Trophies The Trunk Show (The Artistry of Peeling) $

MALE FIGURE TEAM REALNESS: 3 Trophies ‘The Realest Triple Threat’

FEMALE FIGURE PERFORMANCE: 3 Trophies Fashion Takeover Pop Stars $

BQ MODEL MAGAZINE FACE: 1 Trophy Explore the World of Vogue $

TRANS MAN SEX SIREN: 1 Trophy The Trans Modeling Agency $

DRAGS FACE: 1 Trophy Inside Pat McGrath’s Universe $

FEM QUEEN REALNESS: 1 Trophy Elle’s Sunday Brunch $

WOMAN’S BODY: 1 Trophy Sports Illustrated ‘The Couture Issue’

Upset Monday!

Gaywood? “Gaywood” is a word that I created which molds together LGBT and Hollywood, it is a mentality that is becoming very popular in the New York City’s gay culture and spreading throughout our country like a wild fire. When having the opportunity to dish with me I want to highlight and speak about things that affect my everyday life and things that may be discussed abroad; basically venting. Here lately there has been a lot of talk that I am very “Hollywood” and at first I thought about taking this statement as an insult; however through the power of the mind we can filter things and translate them however we want and I am choosing to remove the negativity from the comment and making it a positive observation of who I am.

With the gays I do believe that many were unfortunately not the most treasured jewels in school, many were probably teased, and taunted and as an adult they have fully embraced who they are and this is why they transform and morph into ballroom legends, drag queens, commentators, party promoters, YouTube sensations, and other larger than life personalities for the LGBT community and through all this work they have created “Gaywood,” which is a fictionalized state of mind that only comes with perks that Diana Ross would frown upon ( if you are in “Gaywood” you know what I mean).

I think what I find the most funny about this “Gaywood” mentality is that many gay celebrities don’t really care about being in the limelight and they feel very normal, sometimes confidence is mistaken for “Gaywood.” Because those that I guess would be considered average make a great living, can date whoever they desire, and are very happy. HELL the Gaywood patrons who live there lives in the limelight are probably independently supporting there many crafts from purchasing garments, hair/make-up, website development, video production, spending time writing, uploading videos; which leaves no time for dating and many people they do want to date feel inadequate to there fictional superior title that has been issued to them or they are obsessed with it and are using the individuals for the little fame that they are given. Now I know that you are probably reading this and thinking about the people that enjoy this stardom that they have achieved and you may even criticize them, because there are many that have allowed there fame to boost there egos; however please know that they are no better than you or me.

What sparked this blog post was a conversation that I had with a very well known NYC promoter and we discussed how it’s hard for him to find true love with popularity and my response was “You too are a victim of Gaywood.” When being in this limelight so much responsibility is placed upon your shoulders and you don’t know where it came from, mainstream America doesn’t know who you are, half the gays are jealous of you, and all you have that makes you happy is the work that you are producing for the kidz (gays).

My experience with Gaywood is many of my peers have considered me to be fake, phony, or this “pretend” mega star, which is pure comedy to me, I wish people understood that there are very few people that I allow to get close enough to me to actually know the real me, and I am polite to everyone, so please stop the judgment. I am a normal young black man who has many dreams and aspirations and I came to New York to pursue them and find real love, both are two challenges that I don’t plan on giving up on. Yes I am probably considered a gay individual that is known because of my work and I am only human, I am not perfect and I have made many mistakes, I just hope that my work entertains, educates, and enhances our culture to greater things. All I ask is that we collectively come together as a community and uplift one another and if you are residence of this “Gaywood” mentality that you don’t forget that you are no different then any other gay to mainstream society, it’s not about the fame, it’s about the love and the development that we can offer one another. And if you have not fell victim of “Gaywood” just know that everyone that is known is only known because you continue to talk about them.

H.A.T.E.U “Having a typical emotional upset”

So Mariah Carey is acting up and I think I might want to press charges against her, can you believe that one day while I was asleep on the train she must have went in my murse and ripped several pages from my journal! WTF! I say this because her next single from what I have heard speaks from a place that is so familiar to me. Now my many friends know that I am a die hard Beyonce’ fan and I will cut you if you say anything bad about her; however Mariah has really been giving me what I need with this new tune. If you don’t believe me, here check it out live in NYC for the “Today” show.



Upset Monday Break-up quote:

Since one out of every 2 relationships ended this past weekend I thought I might throw some realization on those broken hearts… You ready???

“After 1000 words said, we still could not tell what was in each other’s heads.”