For decades, ballroom culture has been celebrated across the media, from Madonna’s Vogue to the more recent television show Pose. In the scene, members band together in houses, which act as chosen families, and participate in balls, where they present their handmade, avant-garde fashion and participate in dynamic performances. In the Kiki scene, a community self-organized by LGBTQ youth of color, young people carry on traditions of the ballroom scene through their own houses, balls, and culture, which are all infused with a positive HIV education message. Through its family structure and celebration of an often marginalized culture, the Kiki scene provides an alternative to high-risk behaviors, creating a support system that acts as a form of survival and resistance for a marginalized group.
The importance of fashion in the Kiki scene cannot be understated. During the balls, there are many different runway categories including all-important the “face” category, which focuses on beauty. Both in and outside of the balls, Kiki scene fashion flaunts gender nonconformity and revels in diy couture. But, while many in the scene dream of becoming models, they see few faces like their own in magazines and on runways outside of the scene. These images aim to recognize the talent in the Kiki scene, spotlighting the artistry of its members.
The Kiki Ballroom Scene
My long-term documentary project delves into the Kiki Ballroom scene in NYC—a dynamic community of LGBTQ+ youth of color. Rooted in a legacy of resistance dating back to the Harlem Renaissance, the Kiki scene reimagines identity and survival through performance, language, and chosen family structures.
Drawing inspiration from queer of color critique and scholars such as José Esteban Muñoz and E. Patrick Johnson, my work explores the intersection of survival strategies, performative gender, and communal resilience. The Kiki scene operates as both a site of refuge and a stage for self-definition, offering its members a means to navigate societal marginalization while celebrating artistic and personal expression.
Through photography, video, and audio, I document this vibrant culture, focusing on the interplay between tradition and reinvention. From avant-garde voguing to familial bonds within houses, my work highlights the Kiki scene as a transformative space where identities are forged, stories are shared, and a sense of belonging thrives against the odds.
