Unpopular opinions you hold- Page 46

[John Adams]

Unpopular Opinions#1125

Posted: 5/14/26 at 11:11am

Kad said: "Can one fairly describe themselves as not being a fan if they don't really know what ballroom is?"

I believe you've made an incorrect assumption regarding what I do/didn't previously know about ballroom. This conversation has expounded on my previous information, not introduced the subject from scratch.

So, "yes"... I still am very comfortable saying that I'm not a fan. I'm also very confident in saying that  no one needs me to be.

But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate or enjoy absorbing more information about it.

Updated On: 5/14/26 at 11:11 AM

[TheatreFan4]

Unpopular Opinions#1126

Posted: 5/14/26 at 11:29am

John Adams said: "
P.S.: Prior to our conversation, my introductory "history lesson" re: Ballroom culture was the documentary, "Paris is Burning" which featured drag, and drag performers more heavily than (apparently) Jellicle Ball does. E.g., PiB's Wikipedia page mentions the judging criteria to include: "Contestants are judged on criteria including their dance talent, the aesthetic beauty of their clothing, and the "realness" of their drag - i.e., their ability to pass as a member of the stereotype, gender, or sex they are portraying."

Additionally, the Wikipedia page on "Ball culture" cites: "The Ballroom scene (also known as the Ballroom community, Ballroom culture, or just Ballroom) is an African-American and Latin underground LGBTQ+ subculture. The scene traces its origins to the drag balls of the mid-19th century United States, such as those hosted by William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved Black man in Washington D.C.. By the early 20th century, integrated drag balls were popular in cities such as New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Philadelphia."

"

The vast majority of the people that are the stars of Paris is Burning are Transwomen, not Drag Queens. Drag as it's used in a ball, is not particularly how you would use it to refer to Drag Queens. Anything you wear or portray is your Drag. 

[John Adams]

Unpopular Opinions#1127

Posted: 5/14/26 at 11:45am

TheatreFan4 said: "Drag as it's used in a ball, is not particularly how you would use it to refer to Drag Queens. Anything you wear or portray is your Drag."

...and again - many thanks! This conversation has been a ball! (see what I did there?)