PAPI, finding Power hrough vunerabilty

“Hello! My name is Samuel, but in ballroom I go by Papi. I’m 20 years old, and I’m from Brussels, born and raised here. I’m a communication student, and besides that, I’m into theater, dance, and particularly voguing.

@Doreen Ziane.

“I“I’ve known about the Ballroom scene since 2019, thanks to documentaries like “Paris is Burning” and series like “Pose,” but I didn’t know it existed in Belgium. At that time, I was already dancing, but it was too structured and commercial for me; I wanted something deeper. When I discovered voguing, I was impressed by its freestyle nature and femininity, and I fell in love with it. I found out about the Ballroom scene in Brussels through For All Queens, but in 2020, I couldn’t attend events yet. It was through an Instagram post by Jhaya in 2022 that I truly integrated the Brussels Ballroom scene, as they invited people to an open training session.

@Penelope Dober

“Ballroom represents a space of discovery, questioning, and sharing, where I spend time with the community, feeling vulnerable yet incredibly powerful. It’s a melting pot, a temple where I experiment with various things. It’s a space of advocacy, a political space where I assert my presence as a queer person and advocate for the presence of other queer people in the scene.”

“The main challenge I face is that the Ballroom scene in Belgium is very small and decentralized, making it difficult to evolve. Learning is mostly self-driven, with limited formal training besides open sessions. Being a 007 makes it even harder since I don’t have a House or members to support me. So, it can be a bit difficult financially. It’s practical things like these, but also the sense of family that I miss. However, being a 007 also has its advantages. In a House, there are many responsibilities, and sometimes conflicts arise with members you don’t know well. So, being alone before joining a House ensures that when I do join, I know the people and can stay for a long time.”

@Penelope Dober

“I believe the Ballroom is an essential space for many from the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans people of color who often feel marginalized in predominantly white queer spaces. It’s also a safe place for younger individuals who can’t access clubs but can find a healthy environment for dancing.”

“Future plans involve personal growth, perfecting my craft, traveling, and competing in balls across Europe. On a broader scale, I aim to inspire others to join the Ballroom and showcase it as a space for self-expression. Together with Angel, we manage Puss Academy, a project aimed at providing a safe space for young queer individuals to express themselves, share stories, and learn about Ballroom history and categories. We’ve already organized events focusing on HIV prevention and aim to continue growing the scene and promoting talent in Belgium and beyond.”