Past Event: After Stonewall

Trans people were at the forefront of the 1969 uprising at Greenwich Village’s Stonewall Inn, but their stories have not always been central in film representations of LGBTQ life in the city. T.V. Transvestite (60 minutes, 1982) captures a fierce House of LaBeija Ball thrown at a Harlem bingo hall circa 1982. Considered “lost” and not screened in public for over two decades, the film shows legends Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Sugar in the period before voguing and the advent of AIDS. A stirring example of how queer focused and produced film has long flourished in NYC.

Simone di Bagno, director, T.V. Transvestite
Egypt LaBeija, member, House of LaBeija
Leggoh LaBeija, member, House of LaBeija
Willyum LaBeija, member, House of LaBeija
Joe E. Jeffreys (moderator), drag historian

Includes Museum admission and beer provided by Sixpoint Brewery.

Smile, It’s Your Close Up, our nonfiction film series co-programmed with Jessica Green and Edo Choi of the Maysles Documentary Center, zooms in on key moments, individuals, and communities to pose the question: “What makes New York New York?” Each program includes an introduction or conversation with filmmakers or other notable guests.