Prominent drag family
The Royal House of LaBeija is a prominent drag family founded by Crystal LaBeija and in 1972.[1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America .[2] Their first event was called "Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presents the first annual House of Labeija Ball at Up the Downstairs Case on West 115th Street & 5th Avenue in Harlem, NY."[1] This is thought to be the birth of house culture within the ballroom scene —as it is known today.[3] Houses serve as alternative families, primarily for gay , gender nonconforming and transgender youth and others who feel ostracized from conventional support systems.[4]
House mothers and fathers [ ]
Like other drag families, the House of LaBeija is structured like a family, with a house “mother” and “father” who oversee and direct the group.
House Mothers [ ]
Name
Tenure
Notes
Crystal LaBeija
1972–1982
Founding House Mother
Pepper LaBeija
1982–2003
Performed against Avis Pendavis and Dorian Corey at "Legends Statements and Stars Part 1: Mother vs Mother"[5]
Kia LaBeija
2017–2019[6]
Victoria LaBeija
2017-Present
House Fathers [ ]
Name
Tenure
Notes
Tommie LaBeija
1986–2016[5]
Freddie LaBeija Powell
2017–2020[7]
Notable members [ ]
Name
Tenure
Notes
Junior LaBeija
Emceed "Paris Is Burning Ball" and "Avis Pendavis Presents: Autumn in the Fall," both in 1984[5]
Andre Ovanhess LaBeija Revlon
Dec 1988 – 1992[5]
Founded the House of Mizrahi with Heidi Allure in 1992
Gerald Dupree LaBeija
Attended "Legends, Statements, and Stars Part 2: Club Red Zone in 1990[5]
Portia LaBeija McQueen
"Peppa LaBeija, Portia LaBeija McQueen and John Moschino yo McQueen Ball" held in 2000[5]
Derek LaBeija
Appeared on "The Star and Buc Wild Radio Show" in 2005 to promote "How Do I Look?" film/documentary[5]
Aja LaBeija
Appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 9, placing 9th, and All Stars 3, placing 7th.
Joey LaBeija
DJ, producer, artist[8] [9] [10]
Past events [ ]
Event Name
Date
Notes
Peppa LaBeija and the House of LaBeija Presents: "The Royal House of Sunshine Balls"[5]
1989
Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The House of LaBeija Ball"[5]
1990
Tommie LaBeija Presents: "The Labeija Ball Honoring Peppa LaBeija[5]
1998
References [ ]
^ a b Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing . London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
^ Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother" . Medium . Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019 .
^ Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless' " . Vice . Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019 .
^ Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)" . Standard Culture . Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
^ a b c d e f g h i j Burrus, Kevin Omni (April 30, 2015). "Harlem Ballroom Historic Timeline" . Archived from the original on December 27, 2018.
^ Graham, Annabel (January 18, 2018). "The Underside of Glamour: An Interview of Kia LaBeija" . Autre Magazine . Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019 .
^ Silva, Horacio (December 12, 2018). "Kia LaBeija Is Remodeling One of Ballroom's Legendary Houses For the Future" . W Magazine . Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019 .
^ Michael, Michael Love (16 May 2019). "Joey LaBeija Is Poised To Become the Puerto Rican Robyn" . Paper Magazine . Retrieved 18 September 2021 .
^ Cliff, Aimee (18 August 2015). "Joey LaBeija Bares His Soul On His Debut Album Shattered Dreams" . THE FADER . Retrieved 18 September 2021 .
^ "Premiere: Joey LaBeija – Joey's Inferno" . Dummy . 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2021 .
Culture
Film and television Dance Language
Houses and members
Related topics