Celebrate Pride Month with a seminal documentary on LGBTQ+ culture. Paris is Burning, originally released in 1990, chronicles the ball culture in 1980s New York City and the Black, Latino, queer and trans communities involved in it. Prominent members of the ballroom scene at the time, including Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, Angie Xtravaganza and Willi Ninja, appear throughout as viewers get to know them through their monologues on gender and sexuality, race and more. The doc also deals with heavier topics like the AIDS crisis, poverty and racism to paint a necessary and complete picture of the scene at the time. Paris is Burning endures as a key text for a reason, thoughtfully exploring the vibrant subculture through its unique competitions and the passionate people that make up the community. Right now, if you find yourself in New York City, you can immerse yourself even further into ballroom culture by checking out the Tony Award-winning Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway, which currently stars Paris is Burning‘s very own emcee, Junior LaBeija.
