Movie: Paris is Burning

Location: Womens Center and Trans People 

Date:  June 24, 2008

Finding safe places to be a woman and trans (gender/sexual/nature) in Toronto can take some researching although big cities are more open-minded than small towns.  The University of Toronto has a Womens Center and Trans drop-in open to students and the public.  During PRIDE week, they have a few events such as the Dyke March Breakfast and marching in the Parade, and through the year they have programs and workshops.  Screening of movies such as 'Paris is Burning' and offering snacks, and discussions are part of their special programming to support the trans personality and lifestyle.  The movie was filmed in New York in the 1980's/90's in cultural ghettos where 'voguing', copying the glamour models in high fashion magazines, was an obsession for the local trans community.  'Strike a pose' shows, where they dress up as 'drag queens' or in suits, and dance to music, have photographs taken and win trophies, hosted by 'Houses' which supported their members were common.  This showing off gave them an outlet for their lifestyles and dreams of more money and beauty.  If they had their own trans g*** magazine, then that would have made their dreams more reachable.  There are halls and clubs and the g*** festivals with their floats are the usual locations for them to express this need for attention and beauty.   Even mainstream heterosexuals become curious to look at the g*** parades in big cities because of the colours of fancy costumes, nudity and fun!  This drop-in Center is open through the year and with the right supportive attitude towards the trans nature and lifestyle, it is a safe place like a second home in the big city.  

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