House of LaBeija

The Royal House of LaBeija is the first ballroom house and was the first to host benefits to raise awareness during the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic. prominent drag family founded by Crystal LaBeija and Lottie LaBeija in 1968.^[1] Crystal and Lottie established the House of LaBeija in response to the racially oppressive drag pageant system of 1960s America.^[2] In 1972, Crystal & Lottie LaBeija presents: “The 1st Annual House of LaBeija Ball” at Up the Downstairs Case in Harlem, NY. This is thought to be the birth of house culture within the ballroom scene—as it is known today.^[3] Houses serve as alternative families, primarily for gay, gender nonconforming and transgender youth and others who feel ostracized from conventional support systems.^[4]

The Term - "House"

In ballroom, a “house” is a safe- haven for queer people of color and a home with a family for those who don’t have one. As with any traditional home, it is structured with a Mother (the head/leader/financier of the house) and Children (younger members of the house). A staple that is still implemented today.

House of LaBeija Film

On April 19, 2022, the Tribeca Film Festival announced that the House of LaBeija, a short film created by Fredgy Noël, would be featured at the festival.^[5] The film pays homage to the Royal House of LaBeija through a series of letters from its members. The film casts Vivian LaBeija, Samil LaBeija, Krystal LaBeija, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Bougie LaBeija, Jeffrey Bryant, and Diovanna LaBeija.^[6]^[7]

Notable Member


Name	Tenure	Notes
Junior LaBeija	1974-Present	Pioneer Icon
Jeffrey Bryant	1982-Present	Overall Overseer & Trademark Owner

House Mothers & House Fathers

House Mothers

Name	Tenure	Notes
Lottie LaBeija	1968-1972	Founding Member & Financier
Crystal LaBeija	1968-1972	Founding Member & Face of LaBeija
Pepper LaBeija	1972–2003	Protégé of Crystal LaBeija & 1st Overall Mother
Kia LaBeija	2016–2019^[8]	Overall Mother & 1sy Cis-Gender Mother
Vivian LaBeija	2019-Present	Queen Mother
Summer LaBeija	_-Present	Overall Mother
Egyptt LaBeija	_-Present	Overall Godmother
Jasmin Rice LaBeija	_-Present	International Godmother
Asheeria LaBeija	_-Present	Florida Godmother
Samil Labeija	2020-Present^[9]	NYC Chapter Mother - 1st Chapter Mother
Pandora LaBeija	_-Present	Florida Chapter Mother
LeeLee LaBeija	_-Presnt	Colorado Chapter Mother
Reante LaBeija	2023-Present	California Chapter Mother

House Fathers

Name	Tenure	Notes
Chris LaBeija	1985-1997	Acting Father
James LaBeija	1987-1989	Acting Father
Tommie LaBeija	1989–1989	Acting Father
Chris LaBeija	1991-1995	Acting Father 2nd term
Tiny LaBeija	2011-2016	1st Chapter Father
Derrick LaBeija	2016-2017	1st Overall Father
Freddie LaBeija	2017–2018	Acting NYC Father
Freddie LaBeija	2019-2020	Overall Father
Lyric LaBeija	2021-Present	Overall Father
Bernard LaBeija	_-Present	Overall Godfather
Divine Prince LaBeija	_-Present	South East Godfather
Jamal LaBeija	2024-Present	Southeast Father
Alphonso LaBeija	2024-Present	NYC Godfather
Jamal LaBeija	_-2024	Florida Father
Marcus LaBeija	2021-present	NYC Father

Notable Dates & Events

Tenure	Notes
1967	Crystal walks off the stage at the Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest.
1968	Historical pageant documentary “The Queen” is released.
1968	Together, Crystal LaBeija & Lottie LaBeija founded The House of LaBeija.
1974	Junior LaBeija joined the House of LaBeija and became the first male house member & the first commentator of ballroom – creating history.
1982	In the documentary TV Transvestite, Crystal LaBeija officially solidified Pepper LaBeija as Queen/Overall Mother.
1989	The House of LaBeija performs at Susanne Bartsch’s "Love Ball"
1989	Pepper LaBeija and the House of LaBeija Presents: "The Royal House of Sunshine Balls"
1990s	Crystal LaBeija dies from complications of liver failure in the mid - 1990s
1990	Historical ballroom documentary “Paris is Burning” is released & Icon Junior LaBeija raises to national fame.
1991	Along with Dorian Corey, Willie Ninja and Jennie Livingston, Pepper LaBeija was featured on The Joan Rivers Show
2003	Pepper LaBeija dies of a heart attack.

References

^ Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.
^ Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.
^ Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'". Vice. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
^ Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.
^ "The House of LaBeija | 2022 Tribeca Festival".
^ "Here are all of the LGBTQ+ films at the 2022 Tribeca Festival!". 20 April 2022.
^ "Tribeca Festival Lineup Includes 'Corner Office' with Jon Hamm, Ray Romano's 'Somewhere in Queens', More". 19 April 2022.
^ Graham, Annabel (January 18, 2018). "The Underside of Glamour: An Interview of Kia LaBeija". Autre Magazine. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
^ "Instagram".

[Listen_2011-1] Lawrence, Tim (2011). Listen, and You Will Hear all the Houses that Walked There Before: A History of Drag Balls, Houses and the Culture of Voguing. London: Soul Jazz. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018.

[2] Iovannone, Jeffry J. (Jun 29, 2018). "Crystal LaBeija: Legendary House Mother". Medium. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved Jan 12, 2019.

[3] Street, Mikelle (August 19, 2016). "The Iconic Drag Queen Behind Frank Ocean's 'Endless'". Vice. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.

[4] Jones Chanel, Isla (March 26, 2015). "A GIF Guide to Voguing (+ Short History)". Standard Culture. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018.

[5] "The House of LaBeija | 2022 Tribeca Festival".

[6] "Here are all of the LGBTQ+ films at the 2022 Tribeca Festival!". 20 April 2022.

[7] "Tribeca Festival Lineup Includes 'Corner Office' with Jon Hamm, Ray Romano's 'Somewhere in Queens', More". 19 April 2022.

[8] Graham, Annabel (January 18, 2018). "The Underside of Glamour: An Interview of Kia LaBeija". Autre Magazine. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.

[9] "Instagram".

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