A Ballroom Story: History, Culture, and Euphoria Part 2 with Sydney Baloue

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when we don’t share our own stories? They get told by non-trans, non-people of color who want to advocate for us, but don’t necessarily understand how to. This is why diversity and inclusion is so important, especially in spaces that can control narratives like media and entertainment. In this episode of Dem Bos Podcast, I continue the conversation with Sydney Baloue and we discuss the importance of storytelling, the fluidity of gender, the truth of “American culture,” and more!We talk:The importance of storytelling in the trans community - 3:48Sydney’s experience challenging the “gender is a fact’ rhetoric - 14:40How the gender binary shifts with time - 23:50Sydney’s favorite childhood cartoons - 30:07Advice from Sydney Baloue - 40:04Click here for transcript!References:Moi ReneeMiss Honey by Moir ReneeKylian Mbappe“HIM” from PowerPuff GirlsDexter’s LaboratorySailor MoonLooney TunesFrom Kalulu the Hare to Bugs Bunny: Trickster Lagomorph Legends“What’s Opera, Doc”Little Richard - DocumentaryTina - DocumentaryScooby-DooRead more about Sydnes in his bio below:Sydney Baloue is a TV writer/producer, dancer, archivist and journalist. He is in the House of Xtravaganza and he was Co-Executive Producer on HBOMax’s LEGENDARY Seasons 1 and 2. In 2022, he was the first Black trans man in the Writers Guild of America after working as a staff writer in scripted TV on The Vanishing Half at HBO and Tom Swift at the CW. Sydney is the author of Undeniable: A History of Voguing, Ballroom and How it Changed My Life (And the World). He was the first trans man to solely win Grand Prize for “Old Way” at the Latex Ball in 2019.www.sydneybaloue.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sydneybalouehttps://www.twitter.com/sydneybaloueCelebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.!2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve.Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility.Donate today!Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color!The  Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement! Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks. Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc - Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else!