Episode 29- The Legacy of Venus Xtravaganza

Episode Summary:
On December 25, 1988, a housekeeper at the Duchess Hotel in New York City made a horrifying discovery: the body of Venus Xtravaganza, a 23-year-old transgender performer, found strangled beneath the bed in Room 113. Venus was a beloved member of the LGBTQ+ ballroom community and a featured voice in the landmark documentary Paris is Burning. Her murder remains unsolved. In this episode, Amanda Morgan returns from a brief hiatus to honor Pride Month with a tribute to Venus’s life, legacy, and the continued fight for equality and justice within the LGBTQIA+ community.

In This Episode:

• A moment of transparency: Amanda shares why she took a step back from content creation and the importance of mental health and self-care.

• The life and legacy of Venus Xtravaganza: From her early days in Jersey City to becoming a legend in New York’s underground ballroom scene.

• The origins and evolution of the ballroom community and the influence of pioneers like Crystal LaBeija and House Xtravaganza.

• The intersection of race, gender identity, and class in 1980s NYC and how these factors contributed to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals—then and now.

• Discussion of the unsolved case and how Venus’s death reflects a broader pattern of violence and invisibility faced by transgender women, especially women of color.

• Current LGBTQ+ challenges and systemic inequalities in housing, safety, and healthcare.

• A look at Venus’s posthumous legacy in popular culture, literature, academia, and the ballroom renaissance.

• Tribute to ongoing community efforts to seek justice and honor Venus’s memory, including the upcoming documentary I’m Your Venus.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• 📽️ Paris is Burning (1990) – Directed by Jennie Livingston

• 📖 Bodies That Matter by Judith Butler

• 🏠 House Xtravaganza and the evolution of ballroom culture

• 🎭 Crystal LaBeija and the foundation of House LaBeija

• 🎬 I’m Your Venus – 2025 Tribeca Film Festival documentary directed by Kim Read

• 📺 Media appearances and influence: Pose, How Do I Look, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Get Down

Resources & Support:

• Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – Resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies: hrc.org

• Movement Advancement Project (MAP) – Policy and advocacy: lgbtmap.org

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) – Sexual assault support:
  📞 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | 🌐 rainn.org

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Mental health resources: nimh.nih.gov

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – For immediate mental health support:
  📞 Call 988 and press 3 for LGBTQIA+ support or text “Q” to 988

Call to Action:
🗳️ It’s an election year. Make your voice count. Research your candidates. Support those who stand for equality, safety, and justice for all.

Connect With the Show:
📱 Follow New York’s Dark Side on your favorite podcast platform
⭐ Leave a rating and review to help grow our community
📤 Share this episode to spread awareness about Venus and her legacy

Amore, S. (2023, December 21). Venus Xtravaganza Was Murdered on Christmas Day in 1988. Her Case Is Still Cold. Retrieved from Advocate: https://www.advocate.com/crime/venus-xtravaganza

Green, J. (1993, April 18). Paris Has Burned. Retrieved from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/18/style/paris-has-burned.html

National Network for Youth. LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness. Retrieved May 25, 2024 from https://nn4youth.org/lgbtq-homeless-youth/

Robinson, J. (2024). THE MURDER OF VENUS XTRAVAGANZA: “THE LAST ROOM ON THE LEFT”. Retrieved from Transgriot: https://transgriot.com/a-hateful-homicide/the-murder-of-venus-xtravaganza-the-last-room-on-the-left/

Tobia, D. (2023, August 23). In Time for August Pride Month, Jersey City Home of Murdered Trans Woman Designated Landmark. Retrieved from Jersey Digs: https://jerseydigs.com/venus-xtravaganza-pellagatti-house-jersey-city/

Villegas, J. (2021, June 8). The Legendary House of Xtravaganza. Retrieved from Latina: https://latina.com/the-legendary-house-of-xtravaganza/