The independent documentary Paris Is Burning will mark in September 36 years since it was released. The groundbreaking dcoumentary gave the world a view into New York City’s Black and Latino gay and ballroom subculture in the late 80s and into 1990.
The documentary featured notable personalities in that city’s drag and ballroom scene but also explored multiple topics that are still of concern to the LGBT community today including the issues of homophobia, transphobia, racism, and economic inequality along with HIV/AIDS and the realities of sex work in the gay and trans community. It also dealt with the topic of parents disowning children who come out as gay.
Paris Is Burning was the inspiration to FX’s hit series Pose, which ran for 3 seasons.
Though most of the cast from the film has passed on, Paris continues to be a treasured cultural touchstone for Black gay cinema and culture and a fascinating look at
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