2014 Sara Lewkowicz – “Prancing Elites” These photographs are copyright Sara Lewkowicz and are used here by permission. They may not be used elsewhere without her permission. The Prancing Elites rehearse before a performance at the Saenger Theater in Mobile, AL. The group was recruited to perform at the Nappie Awards, an award show put on annually by Lagniappe, an independent bi-weekly newspaper in Mobile, AL. Since a video of team dancing at an LGBT basketball game went viral after being tweeted by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, the team has gained semi-celebrity status around Mobile, has been flown out to Los Angeles to appear on a tv talk show, and is currenly looking to star in a reality show about their lives. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. The group frequents gay clubs in Mobile, and also travels to clubs in Pensecola. They rarely drink alcohol, often dress in matching uniforms, and use nights out at the club to practice their routines. They see clubbing as a means for self-promotion and an opportunity to perform and dance in front of audiences. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Kentrell’s mother holds up a leotard he designed and customized, admiring his craftsmansip. Kentrell designs many of the costumes for the Prancing Elites, often working on a shoestring budget to create eye-catching and exciting matching outfits for performances. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Tamara, who was born Timothy, is transgender, and has been living with her boyfriend German and his sister since being kicked out of her mother’s home by her mother’s boyfriend. Tamara says that German is unlike any other man she has been with. Many of the men she’s had relationships with were physically and mentally abusive, but she says German is kind to her and protective of her. Tamara has no car, which has made it extremely difficult for her to find work, as she is terrified to walk alone in her neighborhood. She is afraid that if she were to be mistaken for a cisgendered woman by men who make passes at her, and subsequently identified as transgendered, that she might be severely beaten or even killed. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Kentrell and his boyfriend Derreck attend church together regularly at Community Church Ministries in Mobile, sometimes twice a week. Kentrell says that while some members of his church are homophobic, many others are very welcoming, including the pastor and his wife. “They don’t judge us, and Pastor always says that we should stop asking God what we can’t do, and start asking what we can do.” Kentrell says that he doesn’t worry about church members who have a problem with his homosexuality, because he has his own relationship with God. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Adrian watches a TV commercial in his bedroom in his mother’s house. Several of the members of the line live at home with relatives. Among their ranks, a number have faced considerable difficulty when dealing with family members’ reactions to their orientation. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Tamara, who was born Timothy, is transgender, and has been living with her boyfriend and his sister since being kicked out of her mother’s home by her mother’s boyfriend. She has no car, which has made it extremely difficult for her to find work, as she is terrified to walk alone in her neighborhood. She is afraid that if she were to be mistaken for a cisgendered woman by men who make passes at her, and subsequently identified as transgendered, that she might be severely beaten or even killed. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Adrian checks his phone going out with the team to a gay bar in Pensacola, FL. The group frequents gay clubs in Mobile, and also travels to clubs in Pensacola. They rarely drink alcohol, often dress in matching uniforms, and use nights out at the club to practice their routines. They see clubbing as a means for self-promotion and an opportunity to perform and dance in front of audiences. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. (L-R) KJ, Kentrell, Jerel, Adrian and Tim/Tamara sit in a fast food restaurant to regroup before driving back to Mobile after a night out at a gay club in Pensacola. The group frequents gay clubs in Mobile, and also travels to clubs in Pensecola. They rarely drink alcohol, often dress in matching uniforms, and use nights out at the club to practice their routines. They see clubbing as a means for self-promotion and an opportunity to perform and dance in front of audiences. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance. Kentrell stands on a street a few blocks from his mother’s house. The Prancing Elites are a group of young, gay, black men who practice J-Sette, a form of dance birthed at Historically Black Colleges that is characterized by sharp, cheerleading-style movements and hip-hop performed to an eight-count beat. Traditionally, men cannot join college dance teams, so young gay black men have been forming their own J-Sette “lines,” organizing competitions, and creating their own outlets to practice this type of dance.
