Concerns the gender of the people an individual is romantically or sexually attracted to.

Born in Harlem during the late 20th century, the Ballroom scene was created by Black and Latino trans women and gay men—most notably icons like Crystal LaBeija—as a response to racism within the mainstream pageant circuit. Ballroom culture birthed:

This handbook aims to promote understanding, respect, and appreciation for individuals with a specific physical characteristic. By prioritizing consent, recognizing diversity, and being culturally sensitive, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Transgender individuals, particularly trans women of color, experience disproportionately high rates of hate-motivated violence, homelessness, and employment discrimination.

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The Intersection of the Transgender Community and LGBTQ+ Culture

Much of what the world currently recognizes as mainstream LGBTQ+ culture—including slang, fashion, dance, and humor—originates directly from the historical trans and gender-nonconforming community, specifically Black and Latine trans individuals within the ballroom scene.

The transgender community and LGBTQ culture are not separate entities. They are a single, breathing organism. To remove the trans community from the LGBTQ framework is to erase the rioters of Stonewall, the mothers of the ballroom, and the nurses of the AIDS crisis.