Pepper LaBeija
Pepper LaBeija | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
November 5, 1948
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
|
| Died | May 14, 2003 (aged 54)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Drag queen, fashion designer |
Pepper LaBeija (November 5, 1948 – May 14, 2003) was an American drag queen and fashion designer. LaBeija was known as "the last remaining queen of the Harlem drag balls".
Early life and career
Born in The Bronx in 1948, Pepper Labeija first arrived on New York city’s gay ballroom scene in the late-1960s and eventually became head of the House of LaBeija in 1981. Labeija remained the head of the house (known as "the Mother") until his death in 2003. As the head of the House, Labeija spoke openly about the importance of providing support and guidance to young gay men arriving on the scene after being alienated from their families. Labeija also spoke freely about emulating women in his performances while not desiring to be perceived or referred to as one in his daily life. As he explained in the documentary Paris is Burning, “I’ve been a man and I’ve been a man who emulated a woman. I’ve never been a woman. I’ve never had that service once a month. I’ve never been pregnant. You know, I can never say how a woman feels. I can only say how a man who acts like a woman or dresses like a woman feels. I never wanted to have a sex change”.
Labeija was known for Egyptian-inspired runway performances and won approximately 250 ballroom trophies. Outside of performing, Labeija earned a living producing drag balls and teaching modeling.
Later years and death
LaBeija and companion Pamela Jackson had a daughter together, and LaBeija devoted much of his time to family, raising his daughter and stepson. In 1992, Pamela Jackson died. As LaBeija's health declined, his children lived with their maternal grandmother.
LaBeija suffered from diabetes mellitus type 2 and had both feet amputated as a result. He was largely bedridden for the last 10 years of his life. On May 14, 2003, LaBeija died of a heart attack at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan at the age of 54.
In popular culture
LaBeija is best known for appearing in the documentary films Paris Is Burning (1990) and How Do I Look? (2006).
LaBeija also made appearances on The Joan Rivers Show (1991), TV Transvestites (1982), and The Queen (1968).
Malcolm McLaren quoted LaBeija in 1989 song and music video "Deep in Vogue", a tribute to the New York gay balls of the 1980s, runway competitions that involved dance, fashion, and attitude.