Jade stepped into the venue, the bass reverberating in her chest. The London ballroom scene had become her sanctuary.
Tonight, she wore a black shirt with denim shorts, denim sleeves and denim leg warmers.
The categories called for a 90s or early 2000s-inspired look. She had been attending balls and making connections, but this was her fi rst time walking realness. As a 007, a member of the ballroom with no house, she felt intimidated without that support.
In the changing room, the energy was electric – house mothers gave pep talks, performers adjusted last-minute details and some warmed up. Jade put down her bag, her eyes darting around the room, scoping the competition.
She met eyes with a stunning fem queen and wondered if they’d battle on the fl oor. She smiled, but the girl didn’t smile back. This was ballroom though; people were in their heads before walking.
Mental fortitude was key to stepping on the floor.
The MC’s voice pierced the music. “The next category is female figure realness! Anybody walking 10… 9…” The room fell silent.
Realness meant proving to an audience searching for fl aws that you were unclockable. For Jade, it was about belonging and being seen for the efforts she made to ensure her safety daily. She took a deep breath, the air thick with anticipation.
Cheers erupted as someone walked – the beautiful fem queen from the changing room. “Her effect really came together,” Jade thought, chuckling in relief.
In that moment, she felt an unexpected connection to her, a shared experience in navigating this world.
“10s across the board! Stand to the side, beautiful. Anybody else walking? 10… 9… 8…” The MC’s countdown spurred her forward.
Stepping onto the floor, Jade felt transformed, tapping into generations of confidence. She could do anything.
The judges smiled as she earned her 10s. In that moment, everything that once made her feel invisible now made her feel seen. Though she lost the battle, she didn’t care. She had already won within, proving to herself she could hold her own in this space.
Later, the girl approached her. “You carried today, sister! You’re so beautiful. What’s your Instagram? We’re doing open practices at Aga. Come see if we’re the right fit for you.”
That night, Jade’s life changed forever; her connection to the ballroom community was finally solidified.
Time to do the workbook
The 2025 Trans+ History Week workbook is packed with stories, tips, and advice on how to create your own content, events, and activities during the week.
This year, QueerAF produced the workbook for Trans+ History Week. We mentored five Trans+ researchers and writers to put it together through over 80 hours of research.
That work was spearheaded by lead researcher Gray Burke-Stowe, who ensured the stories have accurate and rich historical sources.
Download it now to immerse yourself in stories of the Māhū people of Hawai’ian and Tahitian culture or the history of modern ballroom.
Or maybe you're intrigued by an early internet archive of Successful Trans Men? Or pilot, engineer and racer Roberta Cowell?
Get your copy now, to help us get the word out: We've always been here, we can't be erased, we're more than Trans+, and crucially, we're stronger together.
