Paper Summary:

The paper looks at how Jennie Livingston's 1991 documentary explores the late-1980s "ball culture" within the transgendered, Latino and African American community of NYC, and helps explore the traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity as gay drag performers compete to be considered "real" women.

From the Paper:

"This paper is a discussion of Jennie Livingston's documentary "Paris Is Burning" which depicts the ball culture of the late ...s in New York City. A seminal exploration of the Ball competitions, this film portrays the transgendered community, many of whom are also members of ethnic minorities. Paris Is Burning provides a powerful portrait of a marginalized social group whose elaborate drag competitions, specialized presentational traditions and heightened vocabulary allowed participants to become close-knit members of a distinct subculture. The film highlights their efforts to redefine their individual identity..."

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