Ballroom in the Sanctuary | Kansas City News

In a bold twist of tradition and liberation, a Kansas City church became the stage for the Defiance Ball — a vibrant LGBTQ+ ballroom competition where Black, Brown, queer, and trans people reclaimed sacred space as their own. Born from necessity, ballroom culture thrives as a chosen family and creative sanctuary for those excluded from mainstream society. With categories like “We Lift Our Hands in the Sanctuary” and “The Gospel According to Us,” organizers Taylor Rivera and Mother Moon Glasgow wove faith and fashion into a celebration of identity, healing, and belonging. For many, including Dejuan White and Syonna Spielman, returning to church as their full selves was transformative — turning a place of past trauma into a haven of pride, performance, and profound community. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3b052b90d98ac77d