Paris Is Burning

in the Netflix show, boots, which follows a homosexual marine in the 80’s, when being homosexual in the army was illegal, there’s a scene that reminds me of this movie. Cameron, the main character, is talking to a fellow homosexual marine, Jones. Jones is seeking a medical discharge, and encourages Cameron too, as well. He tells him that they don’t belong in this environment. “if they knew what we were, they’d take us out with the trash. The only difference between me and you is that you think they’d actually be right to do it.” All this to say, being queer in a predominantly heterosexual world is hard. And you have to make a space for yourself in a place that has little tolerance for someone exactly like you. Too flamboyant, or too loud, or too outspoken. Constant criticisms of who you are and who you should be. You are congratulated on being one of “the good ones”, or you are despised for being unapologetically yourself. Paris is Burning shows the in’s and out’s of the complexities of the queer world. It showcases the bonds that are made because of the hardships people face together. It portrays the desire to be seen as something more than just a slur thrown on the street. Something real, and beautiful. And so they do create their own space to be who they are. They have balls, which allows them to express who they want to be, or who they are, or who they would be if given the opportunity. I honestly think everyone should watch this movie; if you’re queer, it helps you to understand the history and the intentions behind now-modernized things. If you’re cishet, it helps you understand the importance of queer spaces, and allows you to see exactly how deep hurt can go. These people are as free as the wind. There is a profound beauty that can only come from a community like this one. One with so much pain ingrained in it, but creates joy despite that. All of them had dreams, and hopes. And many, many queer elders had those taken from them. But despite all of it, we are still as free as the wind.