Dreamhouse: A Fashion Show in Honour Of Trans Day of Remembrance

"DREAMHOUSE" is a play on the Barbie Doll Dreamhouse, referencing both the house structure of ballroom and the ballroom vernacular term “doll.” The “doll” of PROTECT THE DOLLS comes from ballroom, not “gay slang” or “Gen Z internet speak,” but from the Black trans women who are the heart of ballroom. DREAMHOUSE is a powerful tool of trans activism and artistry, using creative mentorship to spotlight ballroom talent as the epicentre of queer arts and culture.

DREAMHOUSE is led by Toronto ballroom community leaders Charlotte Carbone, Diséiye Thompson, Solange Alexander, and Ern In Motion, who are also multi-disciplinary artists in their respective practices of costume design and dance performance.

Ballroom is a subculture created by and for Black and Latin queer trans people in 1960s New York City, centred around queer trans chosen family (houses) and artistic expression through live competition (balls). Balls are where houses compete in categories such as Performance (voguing), Runway, and Face for community accolades and trophies. Houses were essential not only for competing at balls, but for everyday wellbeing as QTPOC youth faced severe homophobia, transphobia, and estrangement from their biological families and broader society. House mothers and fathers helped meet basic human needs while sharing knowledge on health, gender, and sexuality, which was extra critical during the 1990s HIV/AIDS epidemic which decimated ballroom communities. While homophobia and transphobia have evolved into modern 2020s conditions, so has ballroom as it continues to provide sanctuary and asylum for QTPOC youth.

• Diséiye Thompson
• Char Carbone
• Fae Mulan
• Karume Unbothered
• Arsyn Pink Lady
• Sakura Pink Lady
• Shadoe Pink Lady
• Thryv Old Navy

• Ern In Motion
• Solange Alexander
• Jaemy Siriano
• Krackle Old Navy
• Nicky 007
• Vita 007
• Chess 007
• Dymund Pink Lady

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