House of LaBeija explained

The Royal House of LaBeija is a prominent drag family founded by Crystal LaBeija and Lottie LaBeija in 1968. It was the first ballroom house to host benefits to raise awareness during the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic. ^[1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America.^[2] In 1972, Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presented the 1st Annual "House of LaBeija Ball” at Up the Downstairs Case in Harlem, NY. 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 of LaBeija Film

On April 19, 2022, the Tribeca Film Festival announced that the House of LaBeija, a short film created by Fredgy Noël, would be featured at the festival.^[5] The film pays homage to the Royal House of LaBeija through a series of letters from its members. The film casts Vivian LaBeija, Samil LaBeija, Krystal LaBeija, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Bougie LaBeija, Jeffrey Bryant, and Diovanna LaBeija.^{[6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Lawrence, Tim. Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. Soul Jazz. 2011. London. https://web.archive.org/web/20180826005103/http://www.timlawrence.info/articles2/2013/7/16/listen-and-you-will-hear-all-the-houses-that-walked-there-before-a-history-of-drag-balls-houses-and-the-culture-of-voguing. August 26, 2018.
2. News: Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother. Iovannone. Jeffry J.. Jun 29, 2018. Medium. Jan 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180630201519/https://medium.com/queer-history-for-the-people/crystal-labeija-legendary-house-mother-946542cb05f6. June 30, 2018.
3. Web site: The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'. Street. Mikelle. August 19, 2016. Vice. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614025840/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kwkwqy/the-lgbtq-icon-behind-frank-oceans-endless. June 14, 2018. January 23, 2019.
4. Web site: A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History). Jones Chanel. Isla. March 26, 2015. Standard Culture. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142226/http://www.standardhotels.com/culture/a-gif-guide-to-voguing--short-history. June 12, 2018.
5. Web site: The House of LaBeija | 2022 Tribeca Festival .
6. Web site: Here are all of the LGBTQ+ films at the 2022 Tribeca Festival! . 20 April 2022 .
7. Web site: Tribeca Festival Lineup Includes 'Corner Office' with Jon Hamm, Ray Romano's 'Somewhere in Queens', More . 19 April 2022 .