General
house
What does house mean?
In ballroom culture, a house is a chosen family — a tight-knit crew of mostly Black and Latino LGBTQ folks, headed by a mother and/or father, that walks balls together under one name. It started as survival: queer kids kicked out of home found shelter, mentorship and a surname with their house. Think House of LaBeija, House of Xtravaganza. The house both raises you and reps you when you walk the floor.
"She got taken in by the House of Ninja when she was sixteen and they've been her real family ever since."
Origin
Harlem ball scene, 1970s–80s. Houses formed as surrogate families for queer and trans youth, often rejected by their birth families. The House of LaBeija, founded by Crystal LaBeija, is widely cited as the first.
Frequently asked questions
What does "house" mean in ballroom culture?
It's a chosen-family crew led by a mother and/or father that competes together at balls.
How do you use "house" in a sentence?
"She walks for her house in the vogue category."
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