Turning Lead Into Gold – The Hidden History of Ballroom
Ballroom historian, storyteller, and producer Sydney Baloue joins NatsHoney to trace the histories that get left out, and the people who refuse to disappear from them. From ballroom’s deep ties to sex work to the erasure of trans men and masculine people, Sydney challenges respectability politics and asks who actually gets a seat at the table.
They explore chosen family, Black culture, spirituality, and the importance of letting communities tell their own stories. Along the way, Sydney connects ballroom to generations of collective resistance and creativity, reminding us that liberation doesn’t happen through a single hero: it takes all hands on deck.
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All the Chapters:
00:34 Introduction to YAS Podcast and Guest Sydney Baloue
02:57 International Horrors Day: Significance and Experience
10:29 The Role of a Ballroom Historian
21:49 Trans Visibility and Current Challenges
31:30 Power Dynamics in the LGBTQ Community
32:28 Visibility and Inclusion in the Trans Community
36:31 Documenting Trans History and Representation
49:54 Spirituality, Hoodoo, and Storytelling in Identity
01:00:17 Cultural Connections: Ballroom, Spirituality, and Resilience
01:01:08 The Alchemical Experience of the African American Journey
01:06:34 Creative Projects and the Pursuit of Storytelling
01:12:20 The Intersection of Ballroom Culture and Sex Work
01:19:24 Understanding Transphobia and Its Roots
01:22:59 Building Bridges and Community Engagement