Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning offers a vibrant glimpse into the New York drag and ball subculture of the 1980s, along with the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. It examines the system of ‘houses’, which serve as a means of shelter and solace for those who have been kicked out of their homes due to being LGBT. These houses represent communities of friends led by a ‘mother’, typically an older member of the drag scene, and enable members to feel a sense of belonging after being estranged from their biological families.

Drag queens talk about how they feel shunned while living in New York. They discuss how they are stared at when walking down the street or when entering shops to carry out simple errands. They also address issues of racism and poverty, as well as the lack of job opportunities available to drag queens during this time. Some of the drag queens interviewed include Dorian Corey and Willi Ninja, each offering their own perspective on how they deal with prejudice and adapt to a new way of life.