The House of Louboutin is a NYC “Kiki” Ballroom Scene collective established in 2010 to encourage Black and Brown LGBTQ+ teens and young adults explore their identities through vogue, fashion, and other forms of artistic expression. Recognizing that many trans and queer young people do not see themselves reflected in traditional spaces, the organization is based around a peer to peer model where newer members of the house are taught and receive direct support from more tenured members, following the “house model,” where mother and father figures in the house serve as advisors, confidants, and teachers to the youth. By partnering with other Community Based Organizations, the collective provides youth with critical support, including health and wellness services, STI prevention, professional development and leadership opportunities often made inaccessible to LGBTQ+ people.
