Episode 29- The Legacy of Venus Xtravaganza
Venus Xtravaganza was an up and coming performer in New York City's underground ballroom community. She had landed a spotlight in Jennie Livingston's Documentary 'Paris is Burning' highlighting the drag scene in the city and some of the challenges members of the community faced. On December 21, 1988, Venus' life would be cut short when she was strangled and left under a bed in room 113 of New York City's Duchess Hotel. As of June 2024, her murder is still unsolved. This episode we talk about the life and legacy of Venus, the challenges that members of the LGBTQ+ community face in the 1980's that still exist today, as well as the history and evolution of the underground ballroom community, voguing, and House Xtravaganza.
YouTube Videos on Crystal LaBeija & History of Ballroom Culture & Voguing
Sources For This Episode
Amore, S. (2023, December 21). Venus Xtravaganza Was Murdered on Christmas Day in 1988. Her Case Is Still Cold. Retrieved from Advocate: https://www.advocate.com/crime/venus-xtravaganza
Green, J. (1993, April 18). Paris Has Burned. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/style/paris-has-burned.html
National Network for Youth. LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness. Retrieved May 25, 2024 from https://nn4youth.org/lgbtq-homeless-youth/
Robinson, J. (2024). THE MURDER OF VENUS XTRAVAGANZA: “THE LAST ROOM ON THE LEFT”. Retrieved from Transgriot: https://transgriot.com/a-hateful-homicide/the-murder-of-venus-xtravaganza-the-last-room-on-the-left/
Tobia, D. (2023, August 23). In Time for August Pride Month, Jersey City Home of Murdered Trans Woman Designated Landmark. Retrieved from Jersey Digs: https://jerseydigs.com/venus-xtravaganza-pellagatti-house-jersey-city/
Villegas, J. (2021, June 8). The Legendary House of Xtravaganza. Retrieved from Latina: https://latina.com/the-legendary-house-of-xtravaganza/