The annual Latex Ball, benefiting GMHC, is celebrating its 26th year…and gurrrl, the children are carryin! The Viva La Glam theme commemorates the beautiful members of the community lost to the AIDS epidemic…and the categories this year are a reflection of their fierceness, including a $1500 cash prize for voguing “Gypsy Rose Lee” (see below)…DAYUM!!!…I remember when it was just a trophy! See full list of categories below.The Latex Ball is June 30, 2016 at Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th Sy, NYC, 8pm-4am.

The Categories:
Fashion: The Modern Marvels
Open To All Best Dressed (2 Trophies, One Male Figure, One Female Figure) $200
You walked through the door making a statement, “I AM FASHION! I AM GLAMOUR!” Tonight, Viva La Glam! Show us that you can walk down any red carpet and be photographed for the Best Dressed lists around the world.

Open To All Labels (2 Trophies, One Male Figure, One Female Figure) $1000
You don’t dream about wearing the clothes people see in the fashion magazines, this is your LIFE! Tonight, let us know why you are a modern fashionista. Don’t forget to GAG us with that sickening accessory piece. Calling out all the greats who make this category fun and glamorous.

Open To All Bizarre (1 trophy) $300
You march to a beat of your own and your avant-garde looks show it. We don’t have to tell you what to do and what we want to see because you breathe BIZARRE at every ball. Bring us a look that would make Ross Infiniti proud. Calling Freddie Labeija, Lee Soulja, Jorge Milan, G Xtravaganza, Baron Milan and anyone else who dares.

Designer’s Delight (1 trophy) $250
Oh how we miss the days when one couldn’t wait to attend a ball to see what Avis Penda’vis, Dorian Corey, Pepper Labeija or Angie Xtravaganza were wearing. One-of-a-kind outfits that made us all watch in awe. Tonight, we want to see your designer touches, and bring forth one-of-a-kind glamorous looks that would make our Founding Mothers happy.

Face: Hooray for Hollywood (4 trophies)
There are few movie stars today who consistently look as good in pictures as the screen goddesses of yesteryear. That’s why old Hollywood is still so synonymous with the word “glamour.” Tonight storm us with a classic Hollywood look, and let’s see who is Viva La Glamour!
Fem Queens Face $300
Butch Queen Face $300
Drags Face $100
Women’s Face 100

Runway: Glam Rock Role Models (5 trophies) $1000
Some people have always been trendsetters and ahead of their time. Grace Jones and David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) are two examples; from fashion to entertainment their styles and looks shook the world. Tonight we want you to bring that mayhem to the runway with a look inspired by one of them. Creativity is the key to success.
Fem Queen Runway
Butch Queen Runway
Drags Runway
Women’s Runway
All American

Vogue: Gypsy Rose Lee (7 trophies) $10 pot each, winner wins pot and trophy for their category. Winners comes back to battle for the $1500
Burlesque is a dramatic, exaggerated exotic dance performed in glamorous cabarets and clubs around the world. Hollywood has made it even sexier in such films as “Chicago,” “Gypsy,” “Cabaret,” and “All That Jazz.” Tonight you tease and seduce us with your sexy glam look, and sexy burlesque performance. Make it hot and let’s have fun!
Pop, Dip and Spin
New Way
Women’s Performance
Fem Queen Performance
Butch Queen Performance
Drags Performance
Twisters

Open To All Team Body: Editorial Deluxe (2 trophies) $250
You’re always magazine ready, and these cameras and lights are ready to flash. Bring us a sexy complimenting ”safer sex” swimsuit. Create a look with safer-sex materials and bring us that perfect team body. Your partner must be from a different house.

Team Sex Siren: The Sex Symbols (2 trophies) $400
Everything about you both whispers SEX, and you are a desired dual. Tonight, your team was chosen to be part of a special couples’ Victoria’s Secrets campaign about HIV and AIDS. We want to see you in complimenting sexy night apparels, but we also want to see how fun safer sex can be. Show us you were a hit at the photo shoot. Must be from different houses. A picture is a plus.

Team Realness: Hip Hop Glam (3 trophies) $300
In the world of Hip Hop, our musical geniuses have been a part of record companies, which are like the ballroom houses. They were fly; they were talented; and always had the latest gear. They had their queen and had each other’s back. Tonight, we want to take it to Bad Boy, Ruff Ryders, Death Row, Roc-A-Fella, Young Money/Cash Money. Bring it representing one of these Hip Hop Houses and don’t forget your queen. Remember we need to see three members. You must all be from a different house and in complimentary Hip Hop Glam.

Trans Men: The Ultimate Fantasy (1 trophy) $400
The world is just beginning to understand our trans community, and we can thank our trans women for paving the way. Now, trans men have stepped out of the shadows to bring about a new type of visibility, and the world can’t believe their eyes. Tonight unleash yourself to the world, and bring forth the ultimate trans man dressed the part. Who will be our Mr. Trans Man America? (doctors, construction, military, UPS, sports, etc.)

Triple Threat as a House: The Hope of a New Generation (3 members, 3 trophies) $300
Kiki Houses are also encouraged to participate.
1 Runway, 1 Face, and 1 Performance. In New York State, with the help of AIDS service organizations, our Governor have created a “plan” to end AIDS at an epidemic level by 2020. A major component of this plan revolves around promoting the use of PrEP and PEP. As a house, create the next ad campaign, which will educate people about PrEP and PEP. Bring to the judges the new poster of the campaign, but we also want you to showcase your ballroom talents as part of the presentation. Winning poster will be used at GMHC and our social media outlets.