OCTAVIA ST. LAURENT

Ever wonder what this stunner from PARIS IS BURNING was up to? Well, for a start, she's now known as HEAVENLY ANGEL OCTAVIA ST. LAURENT BLAHNIK. Just try chanting that over LOVE BREAK during a runway fantasy. Don't worry, I'm sure emcee Selvyn "Kool Aid" Givenchy will find a way. Anyhoo, soon after P.I.B was released on dvd, a new documentary on ball culture has been unleashed and oy vey, do I know about balls being unleashed! It inlcudes interviews with many of the same, still fascinating creatures who lit up Jenny Livingston's infinitely quotable masterpiece. The new doc's called HOW DO I LOOK, and you can check out the stars or purchase the dvd at:

HOWDOILOOK?

If Octavia's interview on Body Positive is any indication, she's still infinitely quotable:

"My name is Heavenly Angel Octavia St. Laurent and I would like to express myself to you as an individual of the Utopian society. Although I've been categorized as a transsexual or pre-op, I am afraid this is not the proper definition for me. I am called in medical terms a "unic" or "unicorn."

I would like to tell you why this project is so important to me. I see the world through Angel eyes. Let me explain. My whole life I have had to fight to keep my dignity, my morality, my self-respect, and my faith in myself and God. In spite of all odds, I wanted more in life than what society and my peers thought I should have and expect. I was always told that because I was born different that my choices in life were limited. I went to school every day to absorb all the knowledge that I could, in spite of the fact that I had literally to fight every day defending myself from harm, because I was born biologically a boy but look so much like a girl.

Nevertheless I was determined to have an education, to be intelligent and articulate. I should not have had so much pain and suffering physically, mentally, and emotionally. I refused then and now to subject myself to prostitution. I fight drug dealing or anything else that would make me lose my self respect. I have no desire now or ever to have a sex-change. I learned that I must except myself as normally as any man or woman. I am so proud of me. I have never tried or wanted to be a woman, just beautiful.

No matter what choices I make, the truth will never change. Unfortunately there are others like myself as well, such as pre-ops and transsexuals, who are fighting a battle with themselves, that they will never win. I want them to understand that because they are man-made different or naturally born different, that is what makes them special. Also I tell women the secrets and powers they possess and that no woman should be abused. Also about society and the true cruelties that are only seen through Angel eyes. Ladies and gentlemen, I implore you to help me, my kind, and yours."


Alright, miss muthafuckin' unic! (Does she mean eunuch?)

The voguing scene has been hard hit by AIDS, and HOW DO I LOOK seems to be a bit like a WHERE ARE THEY NOW?-type follow-up to P.I.B. At one point there was a riveting trailer online which I caught befoe it vanished. Now you know what to get me or anyone else who worships the ball scene for Christmas!