#Cis gay men turned on the trans women that built those Ballrooms | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

gxlden-angels · 2 years ago

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One of these days I will write about the nuances of The Black Church and how it acted both as a force for good; providing food, shelter, and community to those in need from slavery onward, and as a force for destruction, actively treating drug addicts and LGBT people as diseases and cutting them off from that sanctuary. I should do it at my most powerful (Now during BHM) but alas.....

#I recently attended a conference #and one of the presentations I went to was about Ballroom Culture and History #the presenter compared it to being in a black church #and of course not all churches are the same even with groups #but when I say 'The Black Church' I usually mean the southern baptist/methodist combination that emphasizes freedom. emotionalism and praise #There's a big focus on being freed from slavery both literally and metaphorically (from sin)#Youve probably seen those videos of praise breaks with ppl screaming crying frowing up and falling on the floor #That type of church #It seems silly as an outsider but it's all about connection #In Ballrooms they danced. they performed. they loved #In church they danced. they performed. they loved.#After the church comes together and feeds everyone #If someone is sick the whole church nurses them and prays #Ballroom was a place for queer folk to gather. Black people gathered at church. It wasn't entirely safe but it was something #But then things happened #Black churches kick out addicts and sex workers and queer folk #And during the AIDS epidemic #and war on drugs started #Cis gay men turned on the trans women that built those Ballrooms #They decided they didn't want their spaces pulled down #They decided this was the only way to rise. By stepping on others #And as the communities grew they changed #Of course these community churches and Houses still exist #People are still there supporting each other #But Madonna 'invented' vogue and Ru Paul partakes in fracking #But Creflo Dollar owns a private jet #This was probably a rambling mess but I hope you get it #I also lost my ipad on the other side of the country so I'm a bit too upset to organize my thoughts better rn #ex christian #religious trauma

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