Behind the Scenes of GMHC’S 36th Annual Latex Ball

Photography by Lunetta Green.

SATURDAY 9:14 PM JUNE 21, 2025 MIDTOWN

On Saturday night at Terminal Five, people of all walks of life came together for GMHC’s Latex Ball, a flashy celebration of life and New York City’s vibrant ballroom scene. Founded in 1989, the event functioned as a light-hearted approach to educating New Yorkers about HIV prevention, harm reduction, and sexual health, advancing the message through a series of ballroom-style competitions. Over the years, the Latex Ball has drawn big crowds and a number of prominent queer icons, from Janet Jackson and Ryan Murphy to Raven-Symoné and Patricia Field. And, of course, members of the House & Ball sisterhood, a readymade community of surrogate families for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers who’ve been faced with homelessness or rejection. For this year’s installment, we sent our fabulous fashion intern Lunetta Green to the piers to document the spectacle, down to every last dip, spin, and sequin.—CHARLOTTE ZAGER

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