Paris Is Burning (1990)

[@the3spirit]

This documentary is itself legendary, for all times. The people. The stories. The dreams. The sheer humanity. The period in time. The timelessness of so much of this. You just can't but feel emotional and connected to them.

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

Yea that’s the first word that comes to mind LEGEBDARY

[@lisaolivia5652]

Why has the world gone gay crazy? I respect the documentary but if gays dont want to be treated as some circus freak show, then don't objectify themselves. No need to be a curriculum topic.

[@jonsmum5552]

It’s men that believe they are women. I wouldn’t let any kids watch this 💩

[@tgreen9774]

​@lisaolivia5652 guys will always be treated like animals no matter what. They make up a super small amount of people so naturally they will be hated

[@PurrthaKit]

This is a study on the psychological emasculation of black and brown males.

[@Atly.C0]

It's crazy how to this day we still talk like them , move like them , think like them . They truly will live forever.

[@sadmermaid]

This is so thoughtful and sweet.

[@Zyryne1]

They laid the blueprints so we would have a clue. It's hard out here and they cared. ❤❤❤

[@4evagrace789]

We I’m glad I was part of that era🙏

[@HeavenlyLovely03]

Because the spirit of homosexuality is ancient.

[@tigerdenvintage6783]

Legends always gonna legend.

[@Devon7713]

Hearing all their dreams of wanting to be a star and leave a mark on the world, and here we are 32 plus years later still watching this documentary. Movies and shows and books have been created about them all. They are remembered every single day. Their influence was ahead of their time. I only hope that some of them are still with us today to be able to see themselves become the stars they always knew they truly were.

[@thestudio66]

Some of them are not with us still, unfortunately, and some met the kind of horrible end we were all afraid of. Venus Xtravaganza was murdered, at 23 years-old. Hearing her talk about her dreams, every time I re-watch this documentary, never fails to make me ugly-cry, and want to tear down the walls with a great, big hammer. How unfair, how ugly, how despicable can humans be? How can we perpetuate hate, towards people that only wish to be themselves, to love and be free? The world out there is ugly, and we still fight the fight. With every wave of acceptance, another wave of hate will follow. We must fight, always.

[@spinrash6000]

@@thestudio66Venus sadly gamble big with life. Never surprise your costumer by not letting them know you’re not a woman. These types of men are explosive. Venus rest well in gods hands you’re so beautiful

[@laminage]

@@thestudio66Sadly enough many died of AIDS related illnesses. Dorian Corey, Willi Smith David & Angie Xtravaganza. Pepper LaBeija had Diabetes and lost both legs, while Kim Pendavis killed himself. Another Movie that lost alot of folks to AIDS was The Boys In The Band. Kenneth Nelson (Michael), Keith Prentice (Larry), Robert LaTourneaux (Cowboy), Leonard Frey (Harold) and Frederick Coombs (Donald). Cliff Gorman (Emory) died of Cancer. He and his Wife took in Robert LaTourneaux when he was dying of AIDS. He couldn't get any acting jobs so he did Porn and Prostitution to pay the rent.

[@ARareAndDifferentTune1313]

@@spinrash6000I get what you are trying to say but this sounds a lot like you are blaming the victim. Besides, you’re just assuming the man was surprised by her being trans. Many things could have happened. The only person to blame here is the person who murdered her.

[@LaoZi2023]

@@ARareAndDifferentTune1313, I don’t think she was saying that at all. But putting oneself in a dangerous position should be a very seriously consideration before stepping.

[@MM-to8ro]

Justice for my baby Venus! This movie breaks my heart every time! 😢

[@Persephonie22]

This definitely broke my heart💔to hear that Venus was murdered in such a cruel way. Poor dear may Venus rest in peace.🙏

[@ChillPlanet88]

Justice for Venus

[@ZaddyZin]

She was a wild one

[@MrRobot-ne3oz]

1:08:26 with regards to Venus, this scene plays in my head spontaneously. To me, it is an iconic moment.

[@stevieCMA]

One of the greatest unsolved cases ever!

[@brittnyy113]

It's amazing how POSE is almost a scene-by-scene replication of this film. Very much inspired that series heavily. Love it ❤

[@elenarose3102]

No, Pose is based on Paris Is Burning...

[@caitlinmarshwous2707]

I don't think snark is effective necessarily all the time. But I would say there are many references to Paris Is Burning, and heavily inspired by. Definitely not a replication. They are two different cinematic experiences, different angles are used, they are completely different. Just set in the same spaces. These people existed and inspired many. Rupaul is certainly more than just a copy paste of Paris Is Burning. That's just ignorant. He probably would have been more openly trans inclusive if he was.

[@chiaraddd]

@@kachi9293Just because it was a small majority doesnt mean trans people weren't flocking to those spaces because of community and safety (at the time the common terminology was transvestite). Theres a lot of overlapping

[@chiaraddd]

@@kachi9293a whole plot point of pose is by the perspective of a trans woman in the 80s and navigating heavily gatekept spaces i.e. gay bars. Widen your perspective maybe

[@layditms2]

Pose look fake to those from the era lol

[@michaela765]

not enough people talk abt the way class struggle defined ball culture. with how corporate and individualist pride has gotten i think we forget that queer culture comes from struggle, not just an obtuse form of homophobia but a larger system that punishes its marginalized people into homelessness, sex work, and prison. be gay do crimes is not just a saying.

[@TenderNoodle]

The communal nature of queer culture has definitely diminished in some ways and it’s sad. It’s almost hard to stomach the pride parades in my city because of how sanitized and corporate they are:/

[@morganadkins2673]

@@TenderNoodle rainbow capitalism as they call it. imagine gays today received authenticity and the true struggles were recognized from generations before us. i don't think we are as appreciative of the underground workings and smaller details as we should be.

[@joshuaortiz4886]

spill!!!!

[@rubyj7647]

and not enough people talk about how DISTORTED, DELUSIONAL, and LONELY being rich actually is. invert the images of white history with this and see what i'm talking about. this is family, culture, and love. the rest is history.

[@blackk_rose_]

reading up on them on wikipedia and not a single one of them grew old (several of them died only a few years after the documentary was released). iirc, carmen xtravagenza lived the longest and even she only reached 62. this documentary is so important capturing the life of people on the margins who had so many dreams (some seeming quite mundane to those outside of the community) but the odds were against them :(

[@ThomasMethans-z4i]

I think Junior Labeija (the emcee) is still living.

[@booboobearbaby]

Brooke xtrava is still living, the one with Carmen on the beach.

[@sawebster]

Dorian corey lived through it all and even into the early 2000s

[@KiminCanada]

@@sawebster Actually, Dorian Corey did die in 1993. He had a huge scandal after passing that's a little hard to imagine - lots of videos about that available. Pepper LeBeija moved to be with family due to illness and did live longer though - until 2003.

[@peeppeeped]

@@sawebster dorian corey passed in 93

[@Blumoon_vii]

Venus had a dream at that young age, and hearing her talk about what she wanted in life broke my heart ... she just wanted to live her life and sadly evil stopped her to achieve that ... I hope God made her dreams all come true

[@LegionIvory]

This documentary should be part of every US history curriculum in high school. It is one of the most important pieces to the foundation of modern American culture.

[@TheClosetRatchet]

No, fr. It is. It has aged beautifully.

[@Itsmejackieee]

In a perfect world, unfortunately we already know how those homophobes are

[@candistarbuckle]

@@ItsmejackieeeYou gotta present facts slowly and in a very dry, matter of fact manner.

[@Itsmejackieee]

@@candistarbuckle girl move if you’re stupid just say that

[@SarqueshaGoodins]

You’re joking right… what does a bunch of homosexual men have to do with children in high school… your comment makes you sound very much so like a child predator sir… you need to seek some mental evaluation as well as stay away from children 17 and under because you clearly aren’t to be trusted

[@MsNeal2023]

Idk why but Ms. Brooke and Carmen at the beach is EVERYTHING! Babygurl said she is as free as the wind ☺️🌸🩷

[@finessewright9458]

Willie Definitely spoke life into vogue. God I wish he was here to witness it.

[@joywill9503]

I love how POSE turned this into a TV show.. the real ppl involved would be so proud.. if they could see the world now!

[@dianaberlin4767]

I think its a shame

[@dominiquee901]

@@dianaberlin4767could I ask why?

[@9urn93]

​@dianaberlin4767 of course someone like you would say that

[@melaniebrown9888]

I can honestly say this whole culture made me very uncomfortable but Pose was so intriguing. It pulled me in, I saw the humanness in these individuals. I went through a world of emotions. having grown up in the 80s knowing these individuals were living a total different life from me in a totally different world. still wanting the same things, to be accepted and loved. Everybody deserves love.

[@DavidRoss-lo7kz]

Pepper Labeija 1948-2003 was a staple in the ballroom community...

[@Laha._.r]

periodt

[@Dnykidd1]

Is anyone else still looking at this in 2023 wishing those people we use to see at the clubs were still here?

[@v.c.webster9250]

2024... Rewatching.

[@milkmoonlight93]

I wish this sense of fun was still here 😊

[@nicolemari9140]

Some of them still are ❤

[@Dnykidd1]

@nicolemari9140 thanks Nicole, I know I may sound lime a crybaby, but it all happened so fast that I didn't notice they were slipping away, 😢 ,.I'll. Give anything just to see them walking down the streets, even the ones I never used to talk too, oh hoW foolish and blind was I.

[@rayrae204]

I love this movie so much. There is also a documentary/movie called "Queen" that features Crystal LeBeija in a drag beauty pageant in 1969. Also, "Split" which is a documentary about National Chrysis...She was Salvador Dali's Trans Muse.

[@jameskennedy721]

Amazing . How interesting .

[@brittnyy113]

Thank you!

[@LannieLord]

Dali LOVED Trans people because they were surreal.

[@doeeyes2]

Theres also a follow up documentary called "How do i look?"

[@laminage]

Go on! Is there a link.

[@187nellybelly]

Venus Xtravaganza was simply delightful, RIP

[@rickyparrilla2426]

She was so much fun to be with. I miss her.❤

[@Okeezy-v7g]

Elektra Abundance energy

[@billyne9143]

This has been my favorite movie since the 90’s when I was a teenager. ❤ Rest in power to those that have passed on.

[@alanisgaxiola]

Venus, you were a star. Rest in peace beautiful

[@alanisgaxiola]

@DonnellOkafor-pd7yn what did you do when you watched the video? YOU HEARD WHO SHE WASSSS 😅🤣

[@SWEETHEART27997]

@DonnellOkafor-pd7ynthe nobody being you😭😭😭. . Sir your a loser for purposely commenting and misgendering trans ppl for your own gain, lmao whateva!!!!!

[@TishnHoenheimm-ie5ox]

I'm so tore up over this. What a revolutionary film and documentary.

[@bajanboinoho5378]

I enjoyed this in black and white. Thank you for posting.

[@Allinmyworld]

Audio cuts out at 41:38 doesn't start again until 43:11 but great upload. 47:05 cuts out again. I dont know if that's the movie or the upload itself. Love it. 31 years later we still are reading, voguing, throwing shade, having balls and pagents and even more so. I love that!

[@TheHideout69]

I know, right. I was, like....what's going on here

[@ZaddyZin]

Audio kween

[@naluzoniro]

My guess is there was copyrighted music there, so they had to cut the audio to upload it on yt and not get a strike

[@vivviedarling9336]

That's usually the reason, you can use 10 seconds of a tune without rights before the copyright police come down on your post. Fair play to the sound editor for letting us see this wonderful document.

[@GaaMacgfx]

fyi the documentary was not shot on black and white film btw i would recommend looking for the colored version if you can

[@OccamsSledgehammer]

Just watched for the first time… this is such an important glimpse into gay culture. All I can say is WOW… Definite must see.

[@alexarambula82]

I did not see that last part coming, shook me a bit. such a shame. What a fabulous documentary, such a special moment in time that was captured here, you can almost smell the air from the streets thru the screen. I can’t believe it took me this long to watch it. I’m glad I finally did.

[@mamamichellegist]

BLESS YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! my bisexual, drag queen-loving heart thanks you🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@MK-hh1vo]

Sad that when people today think "Vogue" the dance, they think Madonna, not Willie Ninja.

[@glendagoodewright3438]

#FACTS

[@layditms2]

There's a great pic of Madonna and *VVilli* Ninja together Also great pics of Madonna dancing in NY gay clubs in the late seventies or early eighties You people seem to be totally clued up. *LMFAO*

[@layditms2]

She vvas a dancer in NY, btvv, and alvvays surrounded by gay people Multiracial 😬

[@layditms2]

@@glendagoodewright3438 I bet as a Gorillaz fan you also don't knovv vvhat they represent

[@laminage]

Exactly. I saw it first on American Bandstand and Soul Train respectively and Dick Clark always supported lgbt rights. In Philadelphia the original dancers had gay kids.

[@seeauntae]

This was such an amazing documentary, rest in peace to the ones who aren’t with us anymore 🩷

[@aylanasilva9269]

Life changing documentary. Venus, rest in power 😢

[@gregoryambres1897]

A towering film. A true American document.

[@G_gisell3]

a very good documentary especially for those who judge people without trying to understand them and their situation in life. Such a legendary documentary. I hope that eveyone can watch this once in their life time

[@happygucci5094]

Even with the audio- this was so incredibly moving. It’s always been a fight to be defined on your own terms - and not how the world sees you. You have to FIGHT to Be- and these were some of the baddest bitches to ever do it. This was so beautiful. I will be watching this over and over. Freedom is a fight til the bitter end- knowing that victory is almost never promised- but fighting and living and LOVING as big as your own fragile heart can dare. This was so beautiful

[@caibarnes7023]

Plot

[@zachwalker522]

Seeing how much this inspired Rupaul's Drag race is impressive

[@ronneyrendon5045]

Ru Paul ain't nothing but a high level pimp, period. I have lost ALL respect for her. What started out as fun and camp has turned into a multi million dollar machine that just CHEWS QUEENS UP AND SPITS THEM OUT. Thanks but no thanks!

[@damaracarpenter8316]

RuPaul loves Paris is Burning :)

[@minoruミノル九]

Yet Drag Race pays horrible homage to Ballroom and continues to appropriate it and misuse it's lingo

[@layditms2]

Lol totally different

[@ronneyrendon5045]

@@minoruミノル九 bingo.

[@d10scollections]

This is hands down my favorite documentary of all time. I can't count how many times I have watched it in my life. What it captures is magical and very sad at the same time. Almost all of the featured faces are now resting and most of them passed not too long after the doc. The nyc sub-culture in the background is one that has shaped history and culture in general and not just gay culture. There is so much to break down, so much glorious content, so much wisdom, life lessons shared, so many amazing characters, in just about an hour. This is one is really life changing as someone stated here. God bless.

[@tixie1895]

Oh Venus 💔 😢 Beautiful little doll, RIP

[@mollyjuana]

all of these souls are truly so beautiful and so unique. to not only know yourself truly and deeply but have the courage and confidence to be that person in a society like ours is a marvel to witness and behold.

[@kiythm16]

Pepper LaBeija was also an inspiration to Elektra’s character.

[@TheMusicalStylingsofBrentBunn]

I randomly found this looking through film lists online and thought it sounded interesting. Wow, what a touching, eye-opening documentary. I never realized how little I knew about drag and ball culture. This is a totally new world to me. My heart really goes out to people needlessly struggle just trying to live their truth. Nothing but love and respect here

[@halitosis75]

I thought POSE was brilliant but this movie/doco is out of this world. ❤. Love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@addiemarieruhome]

Growing up in an overly religious/conservative household, I was never exposed to anything like this. Anything that made it okay for me to feel different. That the thoughts and urges I felt weren’t wrong. But alas, I tried for 25 years to be comfortable in my identity and body as a man. But 4 years ago I finally learned that being transgender was a possibility for me, and that I felt more comfortable being and presenting myself as a woman. I’m so glad that I made that realization before I wasted any more of my life denying who I am.

[@kalnfornia]

1980’s NYC was dangerous as fu*k…but damn, those were some fun times. The city was vibing

[@theninarenae]

Watching this because my professor assigned it, but I'm so thankful that she did. It's such a good watch. wow

[@thesacredibis6723]

"If everybody went to balls and did less drugs, it would be a fun world, wouldn't it?" ---- Dorian Corey

[@DonnyNoMarie]

Said the queen with the dead body in his closet. 😂

[@KarmasAbutch]

Guess that’s the level of denial you need to keep a dead body stuffed in a trunk in your room for decades - and still live the dream

[@ydennek856]

I keep thinking, gawd, imagine the smell. It must havve been putrid in that apartment

[@crackthefoundation_]

​@@ydennek856happened in 1968... No smell

[@eeniemeeniemini]

I read this as she was saying it! 😳😆

[@zephyrus001]

It's a costume ball, but though it these people are baring their souls. The casual intimacy is very compelling. Watching this, I feel inspired to try to be more like myself.

[@hs-qk9qf]

The muting/ editing of sections has diluted this film. Glad I saw the original back in the day.

[@marthajones3447]

Extraordinary movie. Beautiful. It transcends time, place, color, race...everything. Love conquers all!

[@callmecarmella]

Thanks for posting. I remember when it was in the theater back in the day. I had no idea this world existed. Sadly most of the cast passed away years ago….RIP

[@kunichiwax3]

We live in a society where femininity is seen as a negative. Why can’t we just accept that being a human is balance of masculinity and femininity.

[@NurseRatchedTV]

“Why Y’all Gagging Tho⁉️”

[@jimmyl324]

The best documentary ever made.

[@theexpresidents]

_The Impostor_ is up there.

[@kentburrell3419]

Love this have watched many times and the references from Pose and Terry Torrington No Shade are unmistakable!..But after I finish watching I'm always a little sad for Venus and Octavia.

[@dezerismith7529]

I Love 💕 Paris is Burning ❤️‍🔥 thank you 😊😘

[@LannieLord]

If this was made TODAY - it would win the OSCAR for Best Documentary . Back in the day ; the Oscars were all voted by OLD people . Siskel & Ebert At the Movies gave it THUMBS UP ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@NurseRatchedTV]

“we’re Not going to be shady just fierce.”

[@rickyparrilla2426]

That is such a classic line!❤

[@laminage]

That was the best line that the MC said. He was saying to them, the contestants have it just as hard as you but they were brave enough to do this, let's support each other because we don't get it outside in the modern world.

[@RobertOrtiz-yi4je]

Legendary quote

[@laminage]

Yes and they said a similar quote at the Ball in Philadelphia that also has a strong LGBT History. From The kids who danced on american bandstand to the balls. I'm sure that in many ways these balls helped alot of the children.

[@shopinree]

It’s kind of giving me 90s vibes this Black & White version. Thanks for uploading!

[@TeddyBruises]

Thank you for uploading this! The quality is pretty decent too!

[@morganadkins2673]

truly so timeless. i am so proud of every single one of these beautiful beings and i am so grateful for them and all they did. so so so much love, truly. imagine they added such an important and impactful documentary and part of history to the curriculum and showed the true nature of things. how wonderful it would be for these bold people to be recognized for all they contributed to our society.

[@JRZTXN]

Love it! Anyone else have issues with audio? Several times there was no audio at all.

[@vroomvreew]

Copyright claimed.

[@JRZTXN]

@@vroomvreew thank you. 😚

[@focusonu9668]

Love the documentary 🫶🏾🫶🏾

[@Lawrence.linton.56]

My gosh child, I'm Finally getting to See this film 🎥📽️,

[@furiusnecroiris701]

This documentary is pure Gold

[@cattheminion]

I made a point to watch this when it came up because it's culturally significant. It was so sad. The LGBTQAI+ community is still struggling, and though we owe so much to the foundation these people were continuing to lay, it makes me sad for them that they didn't get to see gay artists in the mainstream, gay marriage, corporate pride parades. Would they hate it? Would they feel vindicated? :(

[@karma-jade676]

It’s a tough question bc the gay community completely abandoned the trans community in 1976 at the pride parade with trailblazers Sylvia and the late &murdered Marsha P. Johnson. I think they would be proud of themselves, but as you see- the survivors- still have never gotten the credit they deserve. Trans have to give themselves the credit by showing old footage where gays admit it themselves in the 70s. It’s sad.

[@Peter-ov6xh]

​@@karma-jade676"Marsha P Johnson" was strung out on a park bench when Stonewall was getting underway and Rivera was probably plying his trade under some bridge. Don't rewrite history.

[@PurrthaKit]

Your not struggling y'all have more power than all other groups

[@theexpresidents]

​@@PurrthaKitTrue dat. Maybe they'd be better at life if they stopped adding LETTERS TO LGTBTQIADISNEY++

[@SedB101]

@@theexpresidentslol. Huh?

[@pamelablanford6255]

I’m here after watching Rupaul drag race when it’s time for the reading challenge she always says in the name of Paris is burning so I decided to find it to see exactly what she meant and here I am ❤

[@plawz]

love this doc with all my burning heart

[@alexanderdiaz1]

Although, many websites refer to this documentary's official release date as 1991. I can tell you for a fact that this documentary was aired back in 1988, on PBS, in NYC. I remember clearly that Oliver North's Iran-Contra Affair, before his trial, was dominating all the TV channels. I turned the dial on the TV and stopped on PBS because there was a familiar face on TV talking. I was fixated because as young as I was, I clearly remember some of these faces from The Pier and yes, the club. This was my first-time viewing Paris is Burning. The documentary wasn't popular then and hadn't caught on until after Madonna's "Vogue" was released and then all of a sudden there was a resurgence of this documentary, and it became the classic hit that it is today. What I can say is that there is a lot of footage that did not make it on the re-released. I'll give you one example. There is a scene with Venus Extravaganza walking the runway in a beautiful brown dress, looking fabulous, and carrying some sort of orb in her hand. There was a moment where she stepped on the front bottom of her dress, tripped, and fell. This scene was removed from the reissued documentary, and rightfully so, out of respect for her. Sadly, we may never see what I would call the "Director's Cut" as much as I loved this documentary. I can say for sure that the original release would have been even more advantageous to our beloved Gay Community, simply because it was more revealing and telling than what is shown in the reissued version of this classic.

[@athandog]

The footage of Venus holding an orb and tripping was included as a bonus within the deleted scenes of this film's Criterion collection release. If you look up "Paris is Burning deleted scenes" you will find about 2 hours of additional footage. May I ask what other footage from that you recall?

[@cristalbarrientos4876]

pose did an amazing job portraying this

[@RenaldoEpps]

I remembered these days. This was my childhood. I miss the people.

[@finessewright9458]

Poor Octavia, she truly wasn’t appreciated forreal. Long live the Queen. She had so many innocent hopes and dreams but life has other plans

[@darrellmoore5349]

I think the character Kandi in pose was inspired from Octavia

[@jameskennedy721]

The hardest part of this great film . NYC is no playground .

[@finessewright9458]

@@darrellmoore5349 Naw Electra fir sure and Damon in my opinion

[@Mariah203]

​@@finessewright9458I think Angel's character is a combination of Venus and Octavia. The interest in modeling and the Ford modeling competition is from Octavia and the being a mistress to a married white man and desiring to be a normal wife in the suburbs, and a white wedding is from Venus. I think Candy's death was taken from Venus and her look from Octavia but I think her personality and storyline was inspired by the part in the film where the judges are nitpicking the menswear and he's not having it.

[@emilyfurey4483]

Im half an hour in and i think everything about this movie is stunning ❤ 😘 ❤ the people, the aesthetic.

[@rougenoir1990]

Thank you so much for spreading the legacy!

[@sofiya7683]

THANK YOU! I have been looking everywhere and didn't find it! ❤ You've made my week!❤

[@stateofdress]

You’re welcome!

[@tomvasquez2108]

This made me so emotional. I loved this so much.

[@ColonizersBlow]

It’s been so long since I have seen this… Had to click. Thanks for posting!

[@inscrutianaII]

Rewatching 30 years on (streaming vs hunting around for a video store who won't keep the record of the rental) I feel that having portions dubbed over or without voices is especially poignant. Thank you for posting. I hope that everyone who needs to has VPN and can see this post wherever they huddle together in the world.

[@flashflame4952]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! I haven't seen this film in ages...I speak about to others that have never seen it but certainly need to. I remember going to some underground clubs in NYC back in the day and watched them vogueing for the first time! I was blown away! Never saw anything like that and I was an instant fan.

[@atagora3304]

Very interesting film! Thanks.

[@tiatortilla]

Wow thank you for having this on KZbin! Saw this on Netflix years ago and I was so sad when they removed it.

[@toxicpotato1]

This is why in 2023 I love my children xx thank you for you lovely people in this doc xx❤

[@jamisonatanasoff3890]

Beautiful! 💥💥❤️

[@Audrey-s5t]

This film is such a part of my youth. So beautiful, heartbreaking, and inspiring. ❤

[@OccamsSledgehammer]

31:48 This sweet kid with his comic books…. I can’t understand why people don’t think these people deserve a safe space. We’re all human.

[@rickyparrilla2426]

It's sometimes hard to watch this as I was there throughout a lot of this, and so many are no longer here. You are missed.❤🙏

[@carloschavarria3027]

Great to have this here so we can use it as an educational tool!

[@razvantasca]

...this is a great documentary that my friend Alex revealed to me, in the 90'. Thank you for bringing this post! Best regards from Paris France ! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@gullah.geechee.mystic]

My friend is in this movie. Looking all bangee but I love it 💜

[@vekiebaking-shelton1452]

I had to watch this again ❤to hear these beautiful ladies say all they want to have amd do and they are no longer here 😢😢

[@moonpiy]

i’m happy this is on youtube now i remember it in color, but god we need to keep these stories alive.

[@drpoundsign]

Back when the Bodies were REALLY piling UP! A kid from my Neighborhood (I live in the Midwest)moved to South Beach and became a hairdresser. He was actually a Buff, competitive Diver (like Louganis-but, not at that Level.) Real Nice Guy. Then, back in 'early '93, my Dad called me long-distance, to tell me that he Died of AIDS. SAD. You KNOW...Gay Men may be Wild, and Junkies share needles (in part, because they cannot find Clean ones.) What REALLY sparked the AIDS Pandemic, however, was the Hemo-Caribbean Plasma Center in Port au Prince, Haiti. It was open from 1971-72, and they Never-or Rarely, changed out needles and tubing(!) Well, some Haitians had been guest workers in Africa-which has similar problems. About 7000 Poor People got the equivalent three American dollars/day to donate there, every two weeks or so. (You can give Plasma much more frequently than whole blood.) The American Company who ran the place imported thousands of gallons of the stuff back to the US, where it went into the veins of Hemophiliacs and others. Plasma contains clotting factors that keeps them from bleeding. ALL Hemophiliacs are MEN, and a certain percentage of them are Gay. Ask yourself why Haiti had such a Bad Epidemic, when the Dominican Republic-on the same Island, did NOT. NO Country in Central or South America had Anything approaching their Prevalence! There was a Death from Toxoplasmosis of the Brain, in Haiti, back in 1978. Grown adults do NOT get that Disease, unless they're Severely Immunocompromised. And, Decades Later, when Everyone Knew Better, Plasma Centers in Mexico City, China and India ALL sparked major local epidemics of HIV, from the same negligent practices. After you get infected with HIV, you have a Very High level of the virus in your Blood, and other bodily fluids, for about a month. Then, it goes down by a factor of maybe one thousand, and stays low, until eight to ten years later, when you begin to become Ill (but, not TOO sick to have Sex.) the HIV prevalence among high-risk individuals was only about Five Percent...as late as 1978. In 1983, in contrast-it was Sixty Percent(!) The found that out from a retrospective analysis of blood slides from the Hepatitis B vaccine study, which began, back in '78. The HIV test became available in early 1985. And, Yes, there were a few outliers, like the Teen Boy who lived in the Ghetto of St. Louis, and Died of it, back in 1969.

[@jameskennedy721]

The NY Hepatitus Study of 1978 was nicely covered up .

[@drpoundsign]

@@jameskennedy721 I do not believe that the Hepatitis B vaccine caused or contributed directly to the AIDS crisis. It merely created many vectors of HIV by making the unexposed inherently negative for the virus.

[@K_Raine]

EXTREMELY informative, thank you!

[@gabormolnar2208]

Everytime I watch Paris Is Burning and Dorian comes up, all I can think about is that damn mummy in the closet...

[@whitneykawahara]

I mean... what did that guy do to get himself killed? Maybe it was self-defense, and Dorian was scared and hid him 🤷‍♀️.

[@laminage]

​@@whitneykawaharaThat is what I think. Dear God, to have something like that and keep it a secret. Dorian represents The "Pioneers" of the Balls. Did any of you see Fellow Travellers, that Movie was so mindblowing.

[@parkerfilms3038]

Rest in peace and power Venus Xtravaganza. May your memory be honored and never be forgotten as long as this world exists.

[@carlocarnaje6918]

Thank you for posting this. A true history for our future. Because of this, Pose and Drag Drace was born for the new generation

[@carlocarnaje6918]

LEGENDARY AS WELL

[@tiffanylewis7633]

I loved this movie

[@veroniquetyszko5487]

Always a winning film.

[@BricksonSchwenn]

Here today to understand more about the culture O'Shae Sibley comes from. RIP O'shae! I've never heard of you before, but you sound brave and powerful - you should still be here.

[@because-strudels]

This is... genuinely so beautiful, and devastating in a way. It's sad to me that there are lots of folks who will watch these lives and all they'll comment is "Well, why don't they work an honest living?" Or "They must all have some kind of issue." That's all some folks will see. All this humanity and realness and struggle on display. And that's all they'll see.

[@phoebealexandra6863]

I just wanted to say that this film is a compulsory part of my uni drama curriculum and without it I would have never known about these amazing people. Hopefully more schools and unis will teach people about this. x

[@dylanherron3963]

WOW! 949 (including mine) upvotes and not a SINGLE down! Okay, so as a "cis white male" or whatever I have only recently come across the works of "The Queen (1968)" and "Paris is Burning" afterward and holy freaking shit... I am absolutely FASCINATED by this subculture, and "Voguing" and "Vogue Fem" dance style, like the bread crumb trail I've been lead on has honestly been awesome.

[@erikm8372]

The downvotes still happen, but they aren’t publicly listed anymore unless you’re the channel creator. YT made the downvotes private bc they felt it gives into bullying, hate speech online, etc., which I can understand.

[@DryConcrete]

​@@erikm8372there are still plugins to show how many down votes there are. This one has only 19

[@mamamichellegist]

also you’re a white man, no need for the ‘cis’ ✌🏻

[@theexpresidents]

Now study _Party Monster._

[@dylanherron3963]

@@theexpresidents I just finished the Pose series like last week! Back to "The Queen" tho, it's REALLY interesting that the shade-throwing and reading are almost identical to, like, The House of Abundance in "Pose." The way they speak in a high-society tone and cadence.. and that was like 35 years prior.

[@meghangrac3]

So many are so young! So pure of heart and gorgeous souls Thank you for what you have done for the gay community, the culture, this is true history and can never be replicated True trailblazers and icons RIP to those who have passed your legacy will be remembered forever 🤍

[@LannieLord]

LOOK ON HERE for the entire cast on the old JOAN RIVERS show !! Joan is so nice to them all !!

[@denisedillinger1354]

You own everything everything is yours I hear opulence, every single time I step out. and I am a woman you hear me yesss opulence my favorite part 😊

[@Bogaz-Terkhanentz]

What an awesome time and a documentary forever etched in our collective (un)conscious.

[@shalandrabroadnax9124]

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES👍🏾😍👍🏾😍