When Crystal Labeija protested against the colourism and racism entrenched in the Drag Pageantry circuit of Manhattan in 1967, she inadvertently birthed the underground Ballroom scene which has since expanded globally, reaching the shores of Singapore. Beyond the extravagance and theatrics of functions, practices of alternative kinship and carework, by and for the community undergirds the culture. These occur either through the alternative kinship structure of the Ballroom Houses, through individual agents organising, initiating and advocating for the needs and concerns of the community, or through loose and temporary collectives forming around specific concerns and objectives. 

This panel talk delves into the relationships that enable care work, responding to diverse care needs along socio-emotional-economic lines. In discussing their journeys in facilitating and navigating growth of the scene, the panelists will also share challenges, lessons learnt about community engagement strategies, and offer suggestions on course corrections. The sharing offers contrasting perspectives from youth-centred social work, community organising, as well as queer & trans advocacy work in more formal, organisational and institutional contexts. 

[Topics: Instances of domestic violence, body dysphoria related to transitioning.]