Join the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre, The Bridge, and IGNITE as we screen the legendary documentary Paris is Burning in the North Campus LRC on Thursday, February 9th. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring TravoyintheFlesh, Leslie Ramsay-Taylor, Pirom Houth, and Jonathan Thiang.

Paris Is Burning is a 1990 American documentary film directed by Jennie Livingston. Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, it chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. Some critics consider the film to be an invaluable documentary of the end of the “Golden Age” of New York City drag balls, and a thoughtful exploration of race, class, gender, and sexuality in America. (source)

Having a ball, wish you were here. 

Leslie Ramsay-Taylor was conceived in a pre-colonial Jamaica, born in Toronto, ON and raised in a post-colonial Barbados, and this has informed the way she views and locates herself as an African-Canadian in Toronto. Leslie now calls Humber College home as a part-time faculty member in the Faculty of Community and Social Services, and has honed her skills in a variety of front-line, and management positions in the field. Leslie has an undergraduate degree with honours in Social Work with a minor in Political Science from Ryerson University; and a graduate degree from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. In her spare time she listens to as much jazz as she possibly can and if she were not a Social Worker, would have been a full-time jazz musician; her story has yet to be completely written; and the beauty of improvisation is easily transferrable from the field of social services to music.

TravoyintheFlesh is a multi-disciplinary artist, activist and community worker/organizer. He attends York University where he currently majors in Sociology. House of Monroe, The Legendary Kiki House of Old Navy, Suite Life: Arts For Youth, Street Art: Youth Presenting Arts Festival (StArtYPA) in Scarborough, ON are just some of the initiatives that TravoyintheFlesh works with. TravoyintheFlesh has been the face and voice all over the city and beyond for the young black LGBTQ community members and continues to work with community organizations (LGBT and Allies) to ensure these voices are not only being heard but respected. TravoyinTheFlesh also sits on the Blackness Yes Commitee, organizers of Blockorama, the longest running black space during Toronto Pride. In his spare time, you will find him hosting a variety of events, co-hosting the new Youtube webshow “Sip on This”, or on his BlackBerry flooding all social media with this thoughts. Travoy is in your face, in demand, and #InTheFlesh!

Pirom Houth is a Career and Student Success Advisor at Humber’s Lakeshore campus. He has been at Humber for over 6 years helping students in various capacities, from Student Life programs to Career and Placement advising. He is also a MD Candidate at the University of Toronto, studying student development in higher education. Pirom identifies as part of the LGBTQ community and is aware of his multiple intersectional identities: including components which involve race, sexual orientation, social class upbringing, and first generation. Using his own personal perspectives, experiences, and education in student development, he wants to advocate for diversity on campus for students and staff. As a former high school drop-out, Pirom believes that education is pivotal in empowering those who face oppression to take empower their lives, their communities, and their own multiple identities.

ignitestudentlife.com/events/paris-is-burning