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What Ballroom means to London's LGBTQ+ community - BBC (A2)

What Ballroom means to London's LGBTQ+ community - BBC (A2)
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A big dance event is in London today. People dance to loud music. This is not old dancing.

It is a competition for the LGBTQ+ group. Dancers walk on a long stage. They wear beautiful clothes.

They pose like models. Judges watch them. Some people dance alone.

Other people dance in a group. They call the group a house. A house is like a family.

It has a mother and a father. The house helps its members. This started in New York a long time ago.

Black and Latin people started it. They wanted to be safe. They wanted to be themselves.

Now it is popular. One dancer is Cartier. He says Paris is important.

Another dancer is Coriander. He goes to many countries for competitions. Gabriella is from Romania.

She went to the dance for the first time. She felt very happy. The people cheered for her.

Many people watch videos of the dancing online. The dance is called voguing. Famous singers use these dancers in videos.

Some older members are worried. They think the culture is changing. They want people to remember the history.

Long ago, life was hard for these people. Today, the event is a safe place. People can be who they want to be.

The outside world is not always kind. At the dance, everyone is equal. They find friends.

These friends become a real family. The dancers feel strong on the stage. It is a place for art and love.

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