Crystal Labeija was a drag queen. Crystal Labeija participated in a racially divided drag competition in the 1960s. Dragmen wore elaborate costumes and contributed to the drag culture. Crystal Labeija founded a house system called the House of Liebeja. In this house system, Crystal Labeija showed how finding a family became even more important in the face of deeply divisive politics and restrictive norms.

Drag Ball Culture in the Late 19th Century

Drag balls have a long history in the United States. This history dates back to 1869. These lavish spectacles were planned by a large number of queer New Yorkers and transgender people. Drag balls brought together hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, with most patrons being black and Latino.

These parties were attended by queer men and women who were free to dance with nonbinary people, even if they wanted to dance together for the evening. Crystal Labeija usually wore stylish, formal fashion. Crystal Labeija also had the opportunity to dance, eat, drink and have fun at these drug balls. This also kept Crystal Labeija safe in the company of other queer people.

Criminalization of drug queer and ballroom culture

In 2020, drug queer was banned by right-wing politicians. A similar ban was also imposed by them 100 years ago. In 1923, the state legislature in New York passed a series of laws. Thus, the politicians made homosexual solicitation illegal. After this, gay organizers found workarounds to ballroom laws. Organizers learned that they could apply to police for protection.

The Importance of the House System in the LGBTQ Community

It is no coincidence that the growing popularity of all-black and all-Latino houses coincided with the rise of the civil rights movement and the gay liberation movement.

Pepper Labeija Takes Over as House Mother

A few years after founding the House of Labeija, Crystal Labeija passed the torch to one of her children, a druggie named Pepper Labeija. Pepper then served as house mother for 30 years and continued the work. True to her nature, Pepper Labeija carried on the tradition her mother had established during her time competing.

Drug Kine Crystal Labeija Takes the Stage

Crystal Labeija was a druggie living in Manhattan. Crystal Labeija spent a few years there competing in New York City’s drug kine competitions. There she gained fame as a pageant queen. Crystal Labeija wore lavish furs and had an uncanny ability to pose gracefully on stage.

Crystal Labeija’s Death and Legacy

Not much is known about Crystal Labeija’s final years. Rolling Stone reported that she died of liver failure in 1982, but one website claims she died in 1990. Crystal Labeija’s cause of death was organ failure. Today, Crystal Labeija’s legacy lives on. After founding the House of Libezza and creating a house system in Harlem, Crystal Labeija continues to have an influence on the gay community.