by Lee Pierre
Black Brilliance members, Garland Gravely, Jerrell Lark, Destinee Vance, Amia Balthazar, Paris Hairston, Toya Jones, and Angelina, took a leap of faith in sponsoring a ball on Thursday (Feb. 26) at the Harrison Museum at 2502 Melrose Ave. NW in Melrose Plaza.
Miss Gay Roanoke
The “Black Brilliance Ball” was more than just a casual get-together. It celebrated the history, culture, and impact of the Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic/Agender (LGBTQIA+) communities. This daring venture of conversation, music, cultural expression, and community dialogue explored how history continues to shape “who we are today” and “where we are going.
There was a brief recognition of Raven Cassidine, “Miss Gay Roanoke 1987” for her continuous work within the gay community. Raven was an employee of the Roanoke dance club “The Park” for 25 years. Even when she fell into hard times, she still spoke positively about life. “I want to support other people, transgender and others,” she remarked.
Reviewing history from the 1800s until the 2000s was no easy task, however, various formats helped capture the audience’s attention during the slideshow presentation. It started with discussions of same gender relationships on the continent of Africa. It was noted that the Catholic religion European colonists brought to the continent made the Africans feel as what they were feeling and experiencing was taboo. Unfortunately, this attitude continued throughout the centuries and is still present today.
During the presentation, outstanding events were discussed and forerunners for the LBGBTQIA+ community were recognized. The focus, according to many of the speakers, was to emphasize that those in the community are “not just queer but that they are also human.” The statement received a positive response from the audience. Other moments of acknowledgement went to those involved in the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by LGBTQ+ people against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a Manhattan neighborhood, beginning in the early hours of June 28, 1969. This six-day uprising, sparked by years of systemic harassment by police and legal discrimination, served as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, directly leading to the first Pride marches in 1970.
The presentation also recognized many who fought for gay rights, as well as those talented gay individuals whose talents outshone their sexual orientation. A few of the LGBTA trailblazers include Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Nina Simone, Gladys Bentley, James Baldwin, Bayard Rustin, Willi Ninja, Storme DeLarverie, Audre Lorde, and Janelle Monáe.
After the informative presentation, Hairston of Black Brilliance moderated a panel discussion.
The panelists included Shamaill Ross, of Roanoke, whose advocacy is deeply personal and is reflected in her passion projects that focus on uplifting marginalized voices, particularly within the LGBTQ+ and Black communities through her leadership roles in organizations such as PRIDE and the NAACP.
Ross emphasized that she would have told her younger self, “Everything happens for a reason, and you are beautiful in the body that you are in and one day when you find that it will become your superpower.” Now, she sees herself as not just a Black woman, but she is a queer Black woman able to walk proudly!
Charley Burton, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, is a public speaker, mentor, and advocate for Trans equality and the owner of “Charley Speaks.com” He often travels for speaking engagements and training sessions. Through storytelling and inspirational conversation, he shares with the audience on what it is like to be a Black Trans elder who has survived childhood abuse, substance abuse, and gender dysphoria. Currently, he serves on several boards and makes time to share his story with others. He is adamant about bringing communities (Black, white, gay, straight, Hispanic, et al) together. Charley is the founder of Transforming Futures, The STEP Project, Black Transmen Can Cook and Co-founder of Diversity In Recovery.
“After I found the resources I needed for my life-change, I was determined that no one would have to struggle again. I became the voice of my community,” he said.
His motto is “Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real!”
Thomas C. Johnson-LaBeija, currently living in Baltimore, Maryland, is known worldwide as Father Tommie LaBeija. He is one of the most respected elders of the global Ballroom movement. For more than three decades, he has been a pillar of the Royal House of LaBeija, leading with wisdom, compassion, courage, and resilience, guiding generations, preserving truth, and helping to protect one of the most powerful cultural movements in Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ history. The Royal House of LaBeija is an international ballroom house with sixteen chapters across the world.
Ballroom is an international phenomenon that celebrates people of every body type, identity, and expression. “It came from oppression,” said LaBeija. “Being Black, you are oppressed and if you’re gay and your family disowned you, you had to go out in the world to make your own family.”
He concluded, “What’s sad is those parents who threw their kids away didn’t get to see their child’s full potential.” What he would have told his younger self: “There is nothing wrong with you.”
One takeaway from this inspiring event: Each individual can willingly learn new stories, appreciate what they hear, walk proudly as the ones before them, create a life that brings comfort, and celebrate the difference of all communities along the way.
