Ballroom as a Living Archive of Global Solidarity – Panel Discussion

Ballroom culture emerged from the need to create a supportive and safe haven for people for whom mainstream society has no place. As part of the program accompanying the exhibition “In the Mirror”, we invite you to a panel discussion exploring the history and contemporary politics of this community.

In accordance with the request of the participants, the discussion will center on the experiences of trans women – they are the ones who historically shaped ballroom, defining its rules, and they are the ones who form its foundation today. The discussion at Studio BWA Wrocław will focus on how this subculture charts the course for radical social change and fosters international solidarity in an era of global crises.

Together, we will examine the structure and significance of alternative families (“Houses”) and how various performative categories on the runway challenge and deconstruct traditional gender roles. The meeting will also be an opportunity to situate these phenomena within a local context – we’ll discuss the struggle for visibility and real access to gender-affirming care in Poland.

Practical information: 

Participants:

Deri (he/him) – founder of @ovah.pl, a nonprofit project dedicated to promoting ballroom culture with a focus on BIPOC individuals. He is a commentator and community organizer in Poland. He holds the title of Polish Prince of the legendary, luxurious Kiki House of Louboutin.

Lila Dziedzic (she/her) – performer, set designer for the exhibition In the Mirror, and one of the key figures in the Polish ballroom scene. Her installations on display at the gallery intimately embody her personal experience of transitioning.

Arlo (she/they) – a queer, non-binary activist and emerging artist. A prominent figure in the Polish ballroom community, she represents the @blackjusticepl initiative at the event. For the past 7 years, she has been advocating for intersectionality, anti-racism, human rights, and the fight against exclusion. She uses her voice in decolonial, feminist, and queer advocacy.

Neo Mosa (she/her) – a co-founder of the Polish ballroom scene, representing the perspective and lived experience of trans women, whose presence in the ballroom defines its emancipatory nature.

Jakub Stroński / Kubu (they/them) – until recently an active member of the Wrocław ballroom community. During the panel, they will serve in a dual role: as a participant in the discussion and as the interpreter for the event.