Paris Is Burning Essay

1. Identity

1.1. Race

1.1.1. Race- Blacks attempting to adapt to White world- struggling to be content with themselves in their own skin.

1.2. Class

1.2.1. Social status and it's impact on one's appreciation of themselves and their

1.3. Sexual Orientation- Gay, Trans, etc

1.3.1. Sex changes vs not

1.4. Self Perception

1.4.1. How one sees themselves- How one wants to see themselves. Hopes, dreams, believes.

1.5. Social Perception

1.5.1. How the outer world views you- How your race, gender, personality is viewed by the outside world.

1.6. Confusion about Self

2. The 80's

2.1. A.I.D.S

2.1.1. Rise of fear of the disease

2.1.2. Prostitution-Drag queens

2.1.3. Rise of ignorance toward gay/trans sex

2.2. White Upper Class

2.3. Black/other lower class

2.4. New York City

2.5. Danger for non-white/gay African americans in city

3. Balls

3.1. Vogueing

3.1.1. More intense version of throwing shade-

3.2. Realness

3.2.1. "Realness" behind ball performance- be able to model/walk home without being recognized as a man/ trans.

3.3. Shade

3.4. Drag

3.5. Gay Black men

3.6. House Mothers

3.6.1. Community, security, family, leadership