The Latex Ball
presents
A Thousand Nights
(CASH PRIZE AMOUNT WILL BE POSTED SOON)
GMHC was founded as Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1982 and is the world’s first HIV and AIDS service organization. Since 1989, the Latex Ball has been an important part of our programs, providing a strong sense of community for mostly Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ youth and adults in the House and Ball community. Ballroom's resilience, symbolized by "One Thousand Nights," celebrates life and the creative expressions showcased at every ball. When we come together for the annual Latex Ball, we share our imaginative talents, strength, love, support, unity, hope and inspiring stories through the categories and just being in community with friends and family members. May the magic and power of a thousand nights continue through these tumultuous times!
Runway
1. BQ European Runway 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Species
HIGH FASHION BIZAARE:
The animal kingdom is made up of thousands of species. From mammals to ocean life, insects to birds, reptiles to amphibians. In a future world where animals are mutated to be super-powered and features are amplified, we ask you to bring to life a species of your choice and make it so out of this world that it will drop everyone’s jaws. This category is asking for the upmost creativity! Bring a photo of your inspiration (no phone photos allowed).
2. Female Figure European Runway 3 Trophies
FQ, Women, Drags
A Night of a Thousand Dolls
HIGH FASHION BIZAARE:
For centuries dolls have always been in the center of fantasy, beauty, and controversies. From ancient porcelain dolls, Barbie dolls, action figures, to spiritual dolls and puppets. We’ve all had one in our lifetime. Tonight, we want you to bring a doll of your choice to life in the most amazing way and show all the girls that you are the top DOLL!
3. OTA All American Runway 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Lights
HIGH FASHION BIZAARE:
All American has been one of the premier categories that has been displaying the highest level of creativity ballroom has to offer, and the Latex ball is no exception. On one of the biggest stages in ballroom, bring it in a High Fashion Bizarre effect incorporating lights into your effect. We will dim the lights especially for this category so you can make your moment!
4. GNC Runway 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Flowers
HIGH FASHION BIZAARE:
Flowers have been the most beautiful gift of endearment and love. Over the past few years, we have seen artists create some of the most outrageous and vitalizing floral arrangements. Now it’s your turn, bring a beautiful life-size display of the most creative floral arrangement you can think of. Remember this is a High Fashion Bizarre category. So, Bring It!
5. Legend/Icon Runway 3 Trophies
BQ European vs FQ European vs All American
A Night of a Thousand Categories
Being a runway legend/Icon, you have an arsenal of looks under your belt. Through the years you have built a portfolio of effects, looks, wins, and gathered many trophies. With that said, would you be able to upstage yourself and add another sickening look to your portfolio? Tonight, we want you to bring it in a High Fashion Bizarre way!
Face
6. BQ Face 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Zodiacs
Astrology expresses our personalities, characteristics, and traits, through them we show the magnificence of our individuality and wear our zodiacs with pride. Tonight, we want you to bring an effect fitting for the Latex Ball inspired by your astrological sign.
7. FQ Face 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Thierry Mugler(s)
Throughout fashion history there has been one amazing designer who celebrated the beauty of a woman through exaggeration, fantasy, and glamour. This designer was Thierry Mugler. Historically he has placed trans women in the forefront of his world and tonight we want to pay tribute by recreating a look of his from any year, any show, any moment. Bring a photo of your inspiration for the judges (phone photos are not allowed).
8. Woman Face 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Bob Mackie(s)
One of the greatest costume designers of all time, Bob Mackie has had one of the greatest impacts on pop culture. Designing for icons in television, stages, films, he has an endless portfolio of inspiration anyone would dream of being in. Tonight, let’s pay tribute to a true legend by bringing his works to Ballroom. Don’t forget to bring a photo of your inspiration (phone photos are not allowed).
Performance
9. Women’s Performance 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Fem Queen’s
Let’s pay tribute to THE FEM QUEENS!! By recreating a look of any Fem Queen of your choice old or new. You can choose a lady from any category and make it your own as you showcase your voguing. Show the judges and the world who you are paying tribute to by bringing a photo of your inspiration (phone photos are not allowed).
10. Drags Performance 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Cartoons
We’re going to take it back to our childhood. Since we were children, we have always been enamored by cartoon characters. Whether it be Disney, Saturday morning cartoons, Comics, Anime and the list goes on and on… Bring to life one of your favorite cartoons in a sickening effect that will match that sickening performance.
11. Butch Queen Performance 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Movies
We go to the movies to escape reality, sink us into a world far, far away. Through over 100 years of cinematic history, we have been introduced to countless movie characters. From Horrors and Thrillers, Dramas and Comedies, Sci Fi and Animation, there’s just so much to choose from. Bring to life a movie character of your choice that will for sure break box office records.
12. Fem Queen Performance 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Pop Divas
FQ performers are the ultimate entertainers in ballrooms, you are our Pop Superstars. In the world of entertainment there are groundbreaking and shapeshifting women who changed the way we see pop culture. From Tina Turner to Beyoncé, Britney Spears to Madonna, Janet Jackson to Rihanna and so many more. Tonight, we want you to bring a look inspired by a pop diva of your choice with the same tenacity that made them an Icon!
13. Realness with a Twist 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Athletes
In the world of sports, we have seen a lot of play with masculinity and femininity. Tonight, we want you to bend the rules. Choose any sport of your choice and bring the “masculine” version of uniform for that sport and for your twist you will bring the “feminine” version of the same sport of choice by peeling right before our eyes!
14. OTA Old Way 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Club Kids
Let’s take Old Way into a new direction, we’ve seen the 80s inspired looks and martial arts effects. What better way to infuse creativity with such a masterful form of vogue then by paying tribute to the club kid era! Bring an ovah Club Kid effect and LET US KNOW IT!
15. OTA New Way 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Extra Terrestrials
With the most alien like form of vogue we want you to show us your twists, flexes, and bends as an extra-terrestrial from outer space, we want to see the bizarre in the look and performance. We are calling for something alien like from a faraway galaxy so don’t limit yourself to just the stereotype.
Realness
16. Fem Queen Realness 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Beautiful Gowns
Like the beautiful queen that you are, you have been invited to a red-carpet event and the dress code is “Beautiful Gowns.” Leave the around the way girl looks at home and remind us how much of a lady you are! Head to toe done!
17. Transman Realness 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Dandies
A Dandy is a man who prioritizes his appearance, grooming and style. These men have always pushed the needle of menswear and high style. The Met Gala theme 2025 is devoted to the Dandy style and look. Tonight is no exception, dress to impress.
18. Team BQ Realness 2 Trophies
A Night of a Thousand Players
Tonight is the Latex annual Players Ball and no one keeps it realer than the Player of the Year. You and your partner will be competing for Player of the Year, and you will be judged on whose got the illest fit, the sickest pimp walk, and the realest game. Now tell me, will y’all be crowned Player of the Year?
Sex Appeal/Body
19. Transman Body 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Masks
We want the focus to be on your body. Bring that sickening body in a devastating mask inspired by your imagination. Whether it be costume play, cultural or traditional, we want to see a beautiful mask that highlights the perfection of your body.
20. BQ Body 2 Trophies
Muscular vs. Models
A Night of a Thousand Kings
Royalty has always been amongst us! Tonight, bring it in a look that screams King! You can bring it in any cultural interpretation or even in a look from your own imagination. But it must scream ROYALTY.
21. FQ Body 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Fairies
One of the most mystical and ethereal characters in history, fairies have always been in the center of beauty and mystery. Tonight, at the Latex ball we want you to bring it in a look inspired by a fairy, sparkling and mesmerizing and don’t forget your wings!
Fashion
22. OTA Bizarre 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Artists
In the world of Ballroom, bizarre is one of the most artistic expressions of creativity we have, and the Latex Ball is the perfect stage to showcase your endless imagination. Tonight, we want you to take inspiration from an artist of your choice, whether it be a painter, sculpture, graphic artist, or animation and amplify it to heights we would never think of.
23. OTA Best Dressed 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Trendsetters
THE BALLROOM RED CARPET:
We’ve seen balls ask for red carpet looks as if you’re going to the Grammy’s or Oscars, but the reality is NO ONE does fashion like Ballroom does, we inspire pop culture and the fashion designers. So, at the 2025 Latex Ball we want you to grace the stage in a trendsetting way that’s fit for Ballroom culture. We are calling all Ballroom fashionistas to come to display what fashion trendsetting really is. Think of this as a love letter to Ballroom fashion and showmanship, bring the look and the attitude to the floor and serve all the girls.
24. OTA High Fashion Streetwear 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Secrets
Let’s bring the Rich Bitch energy to High Fashion Streetwear by bringing us the latest and greatest fashion has to offer. But there’s one twist, just like any true rich bitch in Ballroom history you must always have a secret weapon, something that’s just so ovah, it’ll make all the girls GAG! Remember presentation is key.
25. OTA Labels 1 Trophy
A Night of a Thousand Villains
LET’S MAKE THIS CATEGORY HOT AGAIN! Labels have been the epicenter of some of the greatest and historic battles in ballroom history. We are calling all the true Label Villains and those who dare to play back onto the grand stage to reclaim your throne and make history in 2025!
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