Sydney’s Writing
“The Undeniable Ovahness of Icon MC Debra” - 2/1/23
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An ode to one of ballroom’s greatest unsung heros, MC Debra.
“Slaying and Staying Together: The House of Xtravaganza During Quarantine” - 1/26/22
Into More
Sydney interviews members of the House of Xtravaganza about what it’s like to be chosen family during COVID. Read it here.
“Voguing for Our Lives. Again.” - 6/20/20
The New York Times
Sydney documents how the ballroom community has navigated COVID and joined in to protest injustice. Read the article and check out the accompanying video here!
“Ailey Director Jamila Wignot on Capturing the Black, Gay Modern Dance Icon’s Full Legacy” - 7/22/21
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Sydney interviews Ailey documentary director Jamila Wignot about her film on the dance icon’s life. Read it here.
“On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Remember That Black Trans Lives Matter, Too” - 11/20/20
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Sydney asks the question, “The tragic deaths of people like Layleen Xtravaganza Polanco-Cubilette and Tony McDade are still far from the forefront of the movement for Black lives. Why?” Read here.
“In the Name of the Father and the Mother” 11/2019
Visual Aids - Web Gallery - November 2019
Sydney curated the November 2019 web gallery for Visual AIDS by focusing on the artistic output of Black and Latino LGBTQ artists, some in the Ballroom Scene and some outside of it, who have and are living and thriving with HIV. Access this work here.
“Has the Ballroom Scene Outgrown ‘Realness’?” 10/21/19
The New York Times
Sydney asks, “L.G.B.T.Q. people are increasingly visible. What does that mean for a competition based on passing?” Read Sydney’s article here.
“Brooklyn, USA” 10/7/19
“Brooklyn, USA” Podcast
Sydney produced a segment for BRIC’s “Brooklyn, USA” podcast from 10/7/19. You can catch the segment entitled, “Who Is Safe in QTPOC Spaces?” at 09:25. Listen to this piece here.
“My Ballroom 'House Father' Made Me the Man I Am Today” 8/28/17
Vice Media
Catch Sydney’s Vice article, “My Ballroom 'House Father' Made Me the Man I Am Today.” Read this article here.