University High’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club is on the lookout for participants and dancers for their upcoming ballroom dance collaboration with the YMCA. With this big upcoming event, one might ask–what is ballroom dancing?

Contrary to the popular definition, ballroom dancing in the queer community is not the act of dancing as couples in a formal manner. It is not the Waltz, the Salsa, or the Tango. In this context, ballroom dancing and ball culture refer to a queer subculture that allows individuals to dress ornately and express their most authentic selves. In an interview with one of Uni’s GSA officers, Veronica Hernandez, it is revealed that ballroom culture “originally began as an escape from homophobic and transphobic laws.” She also states, “The Ballroom Scene became a place where LGBT folk running from discriminatory families could escape to.” 

The rules of ballroom culture are simple. Each participant is sorted into a different “house” that represents a different fashion category. There are usually about 3-4 different houses, and they each compete to see which group dressed the best. Some of the current categories are “dad-core,” 70’s, royalty, and cottagecore. Hernandez compares ballroom dances to “fashion shows” where individuals are able to “celebrate each other’s dancing, homemade fashion, and presentation skills.” 

Uni’s ballroom dance will take place at the YMCA on March 29th, 2022. The event will begin right after school at 3:10 PM. The event is completely free to attend, and everyone is welcome to come and celebrate. 

Ultimately, the GSA club aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students on campus. Hernandez heavily encourages students to join the GSA club, which meets every Tuesday at lunch in room 220.