Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza House is a project of Garden State Equality Education Fund in partnership with community organizations.
Who Was Venus?
Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza was an American trans woman featured in the 1990 documentary film Paris Is Burning. The film chronicles ball culture in New York City and the Latino, African American, gay, and transgender communities involved in it.
Paris is Burning was released to critical acclaim and numerous awards. But Venus would not live to see any of it. She was brutally murdered in December of 1988 at the age of 23.
Venus was born on May 5, 1965 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She spent most of her life on 8th Street in the Hamilton Park section of the city, living with her grandmother Justina Salicrup. Justina was always supportive of Venus’ transition. Her grandmother’s house was a place of safety for Venus that most trans women in the 1980s could only dream of.
The House
With powerful testimony from family members and the community, both the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission and City Council voted unanimously to make Venus’ childhood home a historic landmark in 2023. To our knowledge, this is the first tangible landmark designation for a trans person or the trans community in United States, if not world history.
The Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza House is a historical anchor that flies in the face of the anti-trans rhetoric and legislation sweeping the country and states, “We have always been here!”
Although the landmark will protect the historical and architectural aspects of the building and Venus’ legacy, it does not guarantee the community any access to it. We have formed a project under Garden State Equality to purchase the home and create a safe space for residential and educational opportunities.
Our goal now is to guarantee that the community has access to this house, forever.
About Us
Our vision is to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering space in Jersey City that addresses the urgent needs of the trans and LGBTQ+ communities, while preserving and honoring the legacy of Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza.
It starts with a debt-free purchase of the home that builds exponentially into the future with housing, health care, education, community engagement, and employment opportunities.
Our Goals
Emergency Housing
Provide safe, temporary housing for LGBTQ+ individuals in crisis.
Museum & Education Space
Preserve and honor the legacy of Venus and other trans icons.
Community and Flex Space
Offer a versatile space for community events, art, education, and training.
Donate
What motivates us is simple: opportunity and joy. That is “The Agenda”. Opportunity for education, employment, housing and family. And with those things comes joy.
We are excited to be at the forefront of something this historic and believe it will pave the way for future generations of trans and LGBTQ youth in need.
By donating to or sponsoring the Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza House, you are demonstrating your unwavering commitment to the community and becoming part of a team dedicated to advancing the lives of trans and LGBTQ youth.
Advisory Board
Jonovia Chase
JONOVIA CHASE plays a pivotal role in both the House Ballroom and transgender communities. She actively participates in House Lives Matter and various social justice initiatives. Jonovia takes on leadership positions, provides consultancy for organizations, and contributes to Ballroom-themed films and events like Pose. Additionally, she serves as an executive producer for the new documentary “I’m Your Venus” and organizes “Femme Queen Honors” to celebrate Ballroom transgender women.
Genevieve Gorder
GENEVIEVE GORDER is a renowned interior designer and television host. A two-time Emmy nominee, Genevieve has built a brand known for her soulful style and passion for home design. With over twenty lifestyle shows, multiple home collections, and a presence on platforms like Netflix, HGTV, and The Rachel Ray Show, she’s a trusted voice in global design. She is also a staunch human rights advocate with a focus on home, empowering women, and LGBTQ rights.
Dominique Jackson
DOMINIQUE JACKSON is a model, actress, and author who is best known for her performance as the lead role ELEKTRA in POSE for FX and recently starred as BLOODY MARY in the weekly anthology spin-off series AMERICAN HORROR STORIES. Dominique can also be seen in an arc on AMERICAN GODS on Starz, the feature film CHICK FIGHT opposite Malin Akerman, Bella Thorne, and Fortune Feimster, and as a guest host on LEGENDARY for HBO MAX where Dominique’s appearance went viral. Dominique also released her autobiography THE TRANSEXUAL FROM TOBAGO and was seen on the reality TV model/fashion show STRUT for Oxygen.
Deanna Paul
DEANNA PAUL is an experienced trial lawyer and investigator whose practice focuses on white-collar defense, government investigations, and complex civil litigation. She served for six years as an assistant district attorney in New York City, in both the Brooklyn and Queens District Attorney’s Offices, and has tried more than two dozen cases to verdict in federal and state court. Prior to joining WMHW, Deanna was a legal affairs correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and a national and breaking news reporter for The Washington Post. During her journalism career, she was part of the Post team that was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.
Jillian Pellagatti
JILLIAN PELLAGATTI is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a proud niece of the iconic Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza. As a dedicated ally, Jillian is committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and fostering an inclusive environment for all.
Dr. Shamari Reid
DR. SHAMARI REID (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at New York University. As a scholar, Dr. Reid’s work explores how Black trans and queer youth and their communities sustain themselves amidst oppression, as well as how we can collaborate with these communities to better transform schools into sites of equitable opportunities for Black LGBTQ+ youth. Dr. Reid’s work also examines radical love as a moral imperative in social justice education.
Michael Roberson
MICHAEL ROBERSON is a public health practitioner, advocate, activist, artist, curator, and leader within the LGBTQ community. He is the co-creator of the nation’s only Black Gay Research Group and National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, as well as an Adjunct Professor at The New School University/Lang College NYC, and Union Theological Seminary NYC. Michael is the Senior Scholar in residence for the Center for Race, Religion, and Economic Democracy, as well as a 2019 TED Media Resident, where he performed a global TED talk about the underground Black/Latinx House/ball ballroom community, entitled “The enduring legacy of ballroom” as a path toward culturally sustaining school communities, which he explores in his recent book, Humans who teach: A guide to centering love, justice, and liberation in schools.
Jim Walden
JIM WALDEN is the Managing Partner of Walden Macht Haran & Williams, a boutique litigation firm in New York City. In his 20+ year career in private practice, he has represented clients in many high-profile matters, including extensive pro bono work. He started his career as a federal prosecutor.
Gisele Xtravaganza
Bio coming soon!
Organizational Sponsors
Garden State Equality Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that lifts up the diverse voices of LGBTQ+ communities through education and advocacy to advance the movement for equality in New Jersey and nationally. They work tirelessly to ensure the communities they serve experience lived equality, and envision a vibrant and diverse Garden State with full equality in the law and LGBTQ+ residents of all backgrounds experiencing equality in their lives.
House Lives Matter is a community organizing and mobilizing initiative created for and by the house ball community, comprised of sexual and gender minority people of color. Their mission is to improve health & wellness, build alliances, abide deeply in their ancestral & historical roots, and provide mentoring to create leaders who take direct action for social change.
Hudson Pride Center (HPC) serves as both a home and a strong voice for New Jersey’s diverse LGBTQ+ community. As the largest LGBTQ+ social services center in the state, with locations in Jersey City and Union City, their 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is dedicated to enhancing the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. They provide a welcoming and safe space—both physically and virtually—ensuring that everyone feels supported. Their mission is to meet the ongoing needs of the community through comprehensive social services and programs that build trust and empower all those who seek their assistance.
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