In the Ballroom community, the title Mother of the House is not given — it is earned.

It represents leadership, love, and legacy. These Mothers are the anchors of chosen families, the nurturers of culture, and the spiritual guides who hold space for growth, identity, and resilience. In a world that often marginalizes queer and trans lives — especially Black and Brown lives — House Mothers show up as fierce protectors and profound teachers. 

The Ballroom scene, birthed in Harlem and rooted in Black and Latinx queer resistance, is a vibrant underground culture that has given the world language, fashion, and dance — but most importantly, it has given the world family. For decades, Houses have functioned as chosen families for LGBTQ youth who have been displaced or rejected by their biological kin. In these Houses, individuals find safety, mentorship, and the freedom to be fully seen. 

At the heart of these Houses are the Mothers — powerful individuals, often trans women or femme leaders, who guide their children not only on the Ballroom floor but in life. They offer shelter, support, advice, discipline, and unconditional love. They teach their kids how to vogue, walk the runway, and slay categories — but also how to survive, thrive, and live with pride. 

From the legendary House of LaBeija, founded by Crystal LaBeija in the 1970s, to foundational institutions like the House of Ninja, Xtravaganza, Mizrahi, and newer icons like the House of Balenciaga, House of Juicy Couture, and House of Tisci, these Houses have created dynasties that extend far beyond the ballroom floor. They represent culture, resistance, and home.

The 1990 documentary “Paris Is Burning” was one of the first cultural windows into this world. Directed by Jennie Livingston, the film introduced the world to the brilliance and beauty of figures like Pepper LaBeija, Angie Xtravaganza, and Dorian Corey. But what made the film so groundbreaking wasn’t just the spectacle of voguing — it was the truth-telling. These Mothers opened up about surviving racism, transphobia, poverty, and the AIDS crisis. And still, they thrived — with glitter, grace, and unbreakable love for their children. 

Fast-forward to the present day, and we continue to see the influence of these trailblazers in popular culture. HBO Max’s “Legendary” brought Ballroom to the forefront of global entertainment with a competitive reality format that showcased the artistry, athleticism, and drama of Houses battling for glory. With Houses like Oricci, Balmain, Lanvin, and Revlon taking the stage, audiences were reminded

that the heart of Ballroom isn’t just the performance — it’s the family. And at the center of every strong House? A Mother holding it all together. 

But perhaps no show has honored the role of House Mothers more than “Pose,” the groundbreaking FX series created by Steven Canals, Ryan Murphy, and Brad Falchuk. Set in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic, “Pose” spotlighted the pain, politics, and pride of the Ballroom scene through deeply human storytelling. At the center of it all was Blanca Evangelista, portrayed by Mj Rodriguez. 

Blanca is a House Mother in every sense of the word. She opens her heart and her home to young LGBTQ people in need, offering not only a bed but belonging. Through her love and leadership, Blanca shows us that House Mothers aren’t just community leaders — they’re cultural warriors. She fights for her children’s futures, health, dreams, and dignity. Her story mirrors those of countless real-life Mothers who carry the weight of entire communities on their shoulders with grace, strength, and purpose. 

And while “Pose” was fictional, its impact was real and the story of so many. It created space in the mainstream for trans and queer actors to tell their own stories, shifting how we understand family, femininity, and leadership. It showed us that being a Mother of the House is a spiritual calling — one that demands resilience, intuition, love, and unwavering presence.

Ballroom culture is built on traditions — on codes of honor, on fierce competition, on fashion, on movement — but nothing in the Ballroom community lasts without love. And it is the Mothers who pour that love into every practice, every pep talk, every performance. They are historians and innovators, disciplinarians and dream-makers. They don’t just prepare their kids for the next Ball — they prepare them for life in a world that too often denies their brilliance. 

Let us name and remember some of the great Houses whose Mothers have led with vision and heart: LaBeija, Xtravaganza, Mizrahi, Ninja, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Revlon, Juicy Couture, Tisci, Prodigy, Garçon, and so many more. These aren’t just names — they are legacies. They are homes built on courage and crowned with glitter. 

So today, tomorrow, and every day, we honor the Mothers of the House. Your leadership is sacred. Your love is transformative. Your visibility is revolutionary. You are the true embodiment of what it means to be Gritz and Glitter — raw power and radiant presence. 

We thank you for keeping the culture alive. We see you. We celebrate you. And we carry your legacy forward — with every step, every spin, every slay.