Junior LaBeija

Junior LaBeija has been a member of the Iconic House of LaBeija for more than 50 years. He is internationally known within both gay culture and Ballroom for being the trailblazer, pioneer, and iconic master of ceremony for the annual “Paris Is Burning Ball” hosted by the late trailblazer, pioneer, and icon Paris Dupree. LaBeija is the M.C. in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning by filmmaker Jennie Livingston. Known for the theatricality in his voice, Junior LaBeija often commanded the room with his spirit, wit, and power and several of his catchphrases have become iconic. To this day, he is a steadfast Ballroom and LGBTQIA historian, determined to keep the struggles, victories, and literature accurate and alive in this world.