European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Gay balls assaying to Success in a subculture by Andrea Hamilton the associated press Moldavia elite always hated being a Man. Then she went to her first Gay Ball three months later she went to another dressed As a woman for the first time and won a trophy. That night she was reborn. She gave herself a new name burned All the men s clothing she owned and All the photographs of herself since birth in the last three years the 21-year-old Quot lemme Queen Quot has won nearly 100 trophies and adulation beyond her wildest fantasy. As a Man in the straight world she was a lonely outsider but in the Ball world a Gay subculture of Blacks and hispanics that exists deep in the shadows Moldavia is a Quot legend Quot she is what All of her Peers desire to be More than anything else a  Quot but being gorgeous is a Burden it really is. Moldavia said As she picked at a plate of lasagna Al a Friend s Home and stared Down at her jeans cinched tightly to show off her Small Waist Quot in a going to have to Start working  pans is burning an award winning documentary about the Ball world is being shown in other cities across the United Stales after a Long run in new York. A ogling. The dance of Model poses that Madonna popularized began Al the balls. Some Gays Are proud of the attention they re getting from mainstream society but others feel used Quot we made this Lor us because we could t be ourselves in the world Quot Kiki legacy said Quot now straight people Are coming 1o our balls exploiting the situation a lot of people Don t understand Gay culture and they should t  for Gays who participate the balls Are an Opportunity to be what society will not let them be in their daily lives some have been thrown out of their Homes and work As prostitutes to survive. They seek empowerment by impersonating everyday straight people businessmen housewives even schoolgirls. The test they must Pete is realism whether Sas haying Down the runway in a Bikini or striding Down As a banker carrying a briefcase and a Wall Street journal the winners receive trophies but the real prize is the attention from their Peers and the Chance to be a celebrity Quot its the great american dream Honey Quot says Dorian Corey Al 54 one of the Grande Dames of the Ball world Quot its having the spotlight on you for just that moment hearing people scream your name. Everybody loves a Winner and Lor some of these children this is the Only place they can win in this  Twenty Tive years ago the balls were Beauty pageants for drag Queens decked out like showgirls in sequins and feathers. But in the 1970s, Young newcomers turned the balls into fashion shows. Designer labels and runway modelling took the stage and for the first time Quot Butch Queens Quot a male Gays who do not dress in drag a were admitted. The younger Gays also created fashion houses Quot clubs of Ball walkers. Now virtually everyone who competes is a member of a House. The founder is the Mother the members Are children and All use the House name As their surname. No one really knows How Many there Are but the most prominent include the houses of extravaganza Revlon and St. Laurent. The houses Are overwhelmingly Black and hispanic largely because the balls started in Harlem. Balls Are held about once a month in hotels or Community centers there can be up to 40 categories and the show can last for hours. Danny Rivera of the House of Continental recently walked for the first time at the 11th annual Paris is burning Ball. Appearing at the head of the runway in a Forest Green taffeta wrap and skirt with a Long train he moved shyly toward the judges with his head Down. His category was Quot Butch Queen in drag Quot which Means he s a masculine Gay who dresses As a woman Only for a Ball the crowd loved his dress and began screaming when the 5-10, 180-Pound Man stripped Down to a Black jockey strap and stiletto heels. His opponents followed one in a Black lace miniskirt and fishnet stockings walked too gingerly in High heels. Not enough poise. Danny won first prize Quot i feel great Quot the 25-year-old said. Quot i won a trophy for the House that s All that matters. Now i just want to get out of this makeup Quot virtually anyone can walk in a Ball because there Are so Many categories a a ogling one of the most popular Quot Magazine face Quot country club sportswear even drug dealers. Anyone who wins three grand prizes is a legend. The Competition is fierce judges and the audience will Settle for nothing less than Quot head to toe governess Quot and there is always More than one Man with striking Good looks who can match the haughty elegance and drop dead poise of any Paris runway Model Quot it s How Well you Are dressed How Well you walk How Well you strike a pose How Welt you sell your garment Quot says Jaq Xyz 30, Mother of the House of legacy Quot it s Little details. If you re dressed up. You need an evening  elite As he is known at Gay balls has won almost 100 trophies As a a Femme Queen. A the most prestigious categories by far remain the ones for a feminine body and face. Many of the transvestites who win these live their fives As women Quot the Best can pass through Harlem and not be noticed a they re 100 percent women Quot says Angie Mother of the House of extravaganza and a Ball legend Moldavia the legend at 21, has captured the feminine mystique. At 5-10, she has full breasts and sleek athletic legs. Like Many transvestites Moldavia takes hormones which also Stop facial hair growth. "1 am a Model of achievement Quot said Moldavia who Hopes to have a sex change operation. Quot you re fighting against Mother nature and if you succeed at that you re doing Good. Quot in her Harlem apartment recently Corey opened an album of photographs from a Ball in August 1974. Five of the seven people on one Page have died of aids. A a in Many ways we re talking about Street people people fighting to stay alive Quot she said. Quot some of these children have been kicked out of their Homes and they Don t have permanent addresses. So there is prostitution there Are drugs. Some won t live to be 30.&Quot a drag Queen entertainer since 1958, Corey never has tried to fit into the straight world. But some Ball legends like Moldavia want to become models. Those who have sex change operations want to get married and have children Quot the balls Are in my blood but in a going to get my surgery and forget about All this Quot said one legend who requested anonymity because she has moved to another state where she works at a department store cosmetics counter. Quot i want marriage. I want to be Happy. Quot i want to be real."readers1 action Lin Contact Legal office regarding car taxes i in due to pcs permanent change of station in the next Lour months and am considering purchasing a new car from cafes for stateside delivery what kind of taxes will i be responsible Tor when i Register my new car after i pick it up stateside7 i realize this will vary Between states but can you give me some general idea7 when do i get a printout of my european living record for Sfa Eside car insurance purposes7 staff sgt. T. Lavelle Heilbronn Germany a sgt. Maj. Michel j. Bolduc he cafes Europe replies taxes vary from state to state and can include registration and sales taxes personal property tax and use tax. Taxes May also be based upon the vehicle s curb weight horsepower and classification to give you a general idea we asked our Munich military Legal office to provide us with detailed taxes imposed in the state of Texas. The state county and City sales tax in Texas is 6 5 percent of the Price of the vehicle. Additionally you must pay a registration fee which is based on the weight of the vehicle a $10 application Lee and a Road tax fee equating 1.5 percent of the total Price of the vehicle also if you need a Texas Drivers License it s another $10 fee the Best Way to get the exact information you need is to Contact your local military Legal office or your vehicle registration office both offices have specific tax information listed for each . State. To write us headers action line is the readers Quot court of last resort striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily Avail abbe. If you have a question and Don t mow where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo a 0921 /. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers. Page 16 a the stars and stripes monday. December 16, 1991