Diana Vazquez Professor Black WGS 100.

053 February 2012

Surviving Society We are constantly at war with ourselves in attempt to find the meaning of self in the society surrounding us. However, its an attempt that will conflict with society norms in some way. In Paris is Burning, gender and sexuality become conflicting ideas for the characters of the film because the majority of the society does not accept them. These characters have to overcome societys scrutiny. Their way of blocking all the negativity is to perform drag acts and fantasizing about being part of the society that is constantly battling to keep them out. It becomes a method of survival where the purpose is to create a world where criticism is repelled and everyone is accepted. Paris is Burning is a film about recognizing the people in this gay community and that they exist whether they are accepted or not. It shows how an alienated group will try to find ways to emerge to become successful. On the other hand, some of these characters are at war with who they are and who they want to become. In the process of defining an identity in society, they need to find a way of coping with the stigma of being gay, and being black at the same time. Transformation is the coping mechanism they use to overcome the stigma that society imposes on them. However, this mechanism has become more than just trying to cope with the outside world. It is also about belonging and the more they are surrounded by these balls the more real it becomes for them. Some of the characters do realize that the balls are a scapegoat, but at the same time they cant help and think that [it is like] walking into the wonderland where

everything is perfect. Quentin Crisp doesn't go intro great detail for why Paris is Burning is, hilarious on the surface and, underneath the glitter, profoundly sad; it speaks with the fierce bravado that is the voice of societys permanent exiles, but it does touches on a general idea that the gay community does have to bear with a lot and as result they end being the outcasts in society. However, bell hooks does argue that Levingston doesn't use her film to bring light to the real issues that gay people are faced with. Instead, Levingston only focuses mainly on the coping mechanism and how this way of life can go either way. The characters in Paris is Burning are enveloped in a fantasy world that enables them to pretend any iconic figure that is widely accepted in society. They do this by attending balls at a particular House where they can be judge according to how well they are able to impersonate their subject or category. Impersonation is the idea of wanting to be someone else, which it is ok when its done occasionally. However, the film states that many of these characters cant stop fantasizing about the balls, we may be spending time preparing for a ball than anything else. Consequently, the characters give the impression that they don't want to be doing anything else but preparing outfits for balls because it keeps them away from reality. A reality that prevents them to be their truth identity and because they are unable to freely declare themselves, these characters must rely on a fantasy world where anything is possible. The balls give prizes and it may seem that it is all about winning prizes, but it is more than the prizes, it is about recognition. Being recognized is more important than the prizes themselves because the prizes only the gratification that they need, but it also comes along with the power of influencing younger or beginners. When a youngster sees that a certain person has obtained this amount of trophies and is well known (in other words legendary), its makes them think that they too can obtain a piece

of fame. A fame that it is not recognized by the outside world, but it is a fame that can only be given at a ball. The performances in Paris is Burning are to some extent realistic because some of the older queens perform to get a living out of it. It is the mixing of two concepts, fantasy and reality. Unlike many of the characters in the film, the older queens are able to identify themselves in society and among the younger generations. They are able to perceive the differences of being gay and to what extent they are able to pursue this identity. Many of the younger generations go further than just identifying themselves gay and turn to sex changes. It makes them happy, however, they don't see the consequences that can come with this decision. Pepper Labeija is able to limit herself from taking decisions that sooner or later she would have regretted. The reason behind her decision is that becoming a true woman doesn't necessarily mean its better. Pepper Labeija makes a point in saying that its not so great being a woman regardless of their skin color. Women get mistreated, beaten and undermined all the time. Hence, the idea the she is gay but yet a man gives her the opportunity to not being limited of her capabilities in society. When someone decides to go along with sex change, the person puts herself/himself in precarious situations, because not everyone (males) can accept the idea of being with a person that was not originally a woman. This can cause violence against the gay community. Pepper Labeija is able to foresee all of this before anything happens, and because of her intuition anyone who comes and asks for her advice, she tells them otherwise. This is what makes Pepper Labeija unique; her femininity is not in anyway compromised because she knows who she is in society and in the gay community. Becoming more feminine is the goal of many characters in the film and if they can be successful the better. Success for them signifies wealth, fame (if possible) and acceptance from

society. It is a way of proving themselves that they too can be achievers. On some level, these characters are aware that it is hard to get to the top, and they will do anything to obtain what they need to get the feeling that they want. An example of this kind of situation is Venus Xtravaganza. Her idea of femininity comes with material objects such as clothes, accessories and having male company that will provide her with the comforts she needs. Venus envisions herself to someday being a true woman living in the suburb and not having to deal with scrutiny. But her way of obtaining her fantasies goes beyond what she can control and this is what brings about her downfall. Her vision of femininity is not a very successful one, in part because she is unable to recognize herself as a whole. She knows that she feels like a woman, but doesn't embraces the fact the she is also a man anatomically. Preferring to turn it into a taboo that cannot be mentioned at all. Embracing who you are gives you power to become successful in society. Take for example Willi Ninja. He became successful because he was the mother of the House of Ninja. What made him stand out more was his notion of femininity. Willi Ninja didn't just conformed with feeling womanly or accepting the tasks that came along with being a woman. He made a point in that being a woman is not just physically and mentally but also meant woman needed to take advantage of their femininity. The ability to hone these tools gave women the advantage of becoming successful. This ideology brought Willi Ninja success because women welcomed the idea of having influence among a society that is mostly ruled by mans standards. Moreover, Paris is Burning is a film where the gay community is longing to become part of society. Acceptance is essential for these characters and its is crucial to see that in order to be accepted some make the extreme choice of changing their anatomical self. They do this to be fully accepted by themselves and among their own community. It may be hard for some of them to actually fit in society without being recognized as something else. It is important for them to

be able to adapt or hide the little things that will give them away. Hence, they must always live in a fantasy, even though they have done all they can to eradicate traits that will uncover their secret.