House of LaBeija

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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[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Michael, Michael Love (16 May 2019). "Joey LaBeija Is Poised To Become the Puerto Rican Robyn". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  9. ^ Cliff, Aimee (18 August 2015). "Joey LaBeija Bares His Soul On His Debut Album Shattered Dreams". THE FADER. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Premiere: Joey LaBeija – Joey's Inferno". Dummy. 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
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