Paris Is Burning
Date: 1992
Region: North America
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion, Sexual/Gender Orientation
Medium: Film Video
Artist: Jennie Livingston, Miramax and the NEA
Confronting Bodies: Dr. Ted Baehr's Christian Film and Television Commission
Dates of Action: 1992
Location: New York City and Washington, DC
Description of Artwork: A documentary film depicting homosexuality and gay balls in New York City.
The Incident: The Christian Film and Television Commission called for "all moral Americans" to boycott Jennie Livingston's Paris is Burning, charging that it was a "homosexual propaganda film." Livingston received grants from Art Matters, Inc., the New York State Council on the Arts, and the NEA film and video program.
Results of Incident: Paris is Burning received international attention and distribution. The Commission continues to recommend local ratings boards for film.
Source: Artistic Freedom Under Attack 1992