The Grit and Glamour of Queer LA Subculture Main Menu

REACHistory

6790


REACH LA (founded in 1992) is a Los Angeles based organization aimed at providing HIV/AIDS testing, prevention, education, and treatment. The original audience of the organization was primarily young women of color. Throughout the early 1990s, the organization used alcohol free dances as locations for learning opportunities for youth. In the early 2000s, REACH began to focus on media and art, specifically film. Youth involved in their programs wrote, directed, and filmed short videos that were entered into festivals like Fusion (a film festival for LGBT people of color).

        In 2006, there was a distinct shift in the organization's focus. Black Queer folk became the primary population REACH served, still focusing on HIV testing and prevention. Many of REACH LA’s new community members were involved in the drag ball scene; REACH saw this subculture as an opportunity to connect with their new community. In 2006, REACH LA hosted the first Ovahness Ball. Admission was $5, and free HIV testing and counseling were provided. Ovahness has become an annual event, and recently threw its 10th Anniversary Ball. Now, admission is $40, or attendants can get tested for HIV and are admitted for free. REACH LA now focuses on the black queer male community as their principal demographic.
Featured above is a promotional video for Ovahness, produced by Gina Lamb, showcasing the ball performers as they prepare for the event. In this clip, Lamb gives outsiders a dramatized glimpse into the lives of ball performers. While this video shows the over-the-top, extravagant, and dramatic aspects of ballroom culture, there is also a gritty underside. [TOO MUCH -- MAYBE GRAINY CELL PHONE VIDEO, BUT WE ARE NOT GETTING NEAR ANYTHING LIKE AN UNDERSIDE] REACH LA chose the Black Queer demographic as their primary community, because they there are disproportionately at risk of being exposed to and contracting HIV. Though their melding of ballroom performance and HIV prevention activism, REACH LA is working to reduce the threat of HIV to the Black Queer community. [COMBINE THIS HISTORY SECTION AND YOUR INTRO. CONDENSE. PUT THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM IF POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT UNLIKE LAMB'S VIDEO (AND GIVE FULLER CREDIT TO HER AS A FOUNDER AND HER CENTER/PROGRAM), YOU ARE DEALING WITH PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIAL FROM EPHEMERA TO PHONE VIDEOS]

This page references: