For this community engagement requirement, I will be reporting my attendance and take away, along with my participation, in the Blood Ball of Richmond, VA.
The Blood Ball was a ball hosted by The Haus of Envy’s ball branch, lead by Leilani Envy (myself in drag 😊). Located at Basic City Beer Co. in Richmond, the ball took place Saturday, October 15th. The night consisted of over 100 participants, either competition in categories or simply there to take in on the night’s atmosphere. For context, the ballroom scene consists of balls where attendees walk categories for trophies and cash prizes. An African-American and Latino underground LGBT subculture, balls are very important as the highlight intersectionality and the importance of visibility within minority groups. Originating in NYC, balls can now be scene in various cities across American. Richmond’s ball scene is very small, but is steadily growing.
The Blood Ball consisted of 4 judges and one host, where the host controlled the flow of the night and the judges critiqued attendees as they walked a category. If an attendee was favorited by the judges, they received a “10,” if they were not favorited, they received a “chop,” which means they do not walk the next round. This continued until there was a winner in each category. Between each category, there was a drag performance from one of the judges (as each judge was also a drag performer).
This event relates to intercultural communication on many levels. Because the ballroom scene originates from African-American and Latino cultures in NYC, the inclusion of these cultures are important and often visible in any ball setting, even when the ball includes individuals outside of these identities (where in some cases, this does occur). These moments showcase the communication differences of those who are African-American and Latino and those who are not. There is a different language that LGBT community members speak, but even more so different one of those that are affluent in the ballroom scene. When we look at drag culture, we can see a lot of influences from the ballroom scene in drag by the common phrases and expressions. Terms such as “reading” (meaning to insult) and “werk" (a phrase of admiration) are common in the ballroom scene and I heard these often the night of the Blood Ball. This is a very clear example of intercultural communication.
Though this was an event that I helped host, I felt so involved in a way where I was also an attendee as well. Balls are one of the highest experiences someone in the LGBT community can partake in. To freely walk in a category and be as fun and authentic as you can be is a huge euphoric feeling in regards to gender and social identities. If there was any one thing I would focus more on outside my capstone being about drag would be the ballroom scene, simply because of how heavy there is of examples with intercultural communication.
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