CONNEK Doll Ball the Aftermovie! Still glowing from our 1st DOLL BALL - Jamaica’s 1st Ball - and thankful. Forever in awe of our beautiful community here, congratulations to the winners, and big up the the Connek family including @united_trans_creatives_@blacktranstravelfund and @houseofblessings2021 for inspiring us to uplift, bring forth and foster the ball room scene from idea to reality in Jamaica. // Our next #DOLLBALLJA is October 1, 2022! Link in bio — Blessings🇯🇲🏳️🌈 #jamaicanpride2022 #jamaicaballroomscene #connekja #ragganyc #ourstory video editing by: @s.m.will
On our 2021 trip we came together, we laughed, we cried, we twerked and all got home safe Covid free! Lock down edition was one of the most rigorous things we have ever done and we are forever grateful to the team: our staff, ambassadors, our beautiful attendees and YOU, our supporters for making this dream come true! This project we don't profit from is close to our hearts and really us trying to bring the international family closer together as the powers that be try to draw us apart. We know the beauty of queer family and allies coming together to remember that we are stronger together especially now. So thank you! Thank you for believing in us and what we are trying to build with Connek.
Finally! Mark your calendars! The next official dates for the Connek trip are March 10-14, 2022!
Sign up for the waiting list for next year and support our movement! Link in bio.
BIG UP TO @s.m.will FOR THIS VIDEO ICONIC VIDEO 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿❤️
Love and blessings - @1emmanuel & @neonchristina ❤️❤️🇯🇲😘 #connekja
@kyym_savage@emanithegenderlessstylist@_p_u_f_f_a_@alexanderclennon@shauna_k_fashionista_avoir@consultgivans@mxleoworld@my_name_is_tami@instalessshelagh@kasterling1@jetmfblack@adwoa.addae@bigupanash
#connekja #jamaica #🇯🇲 #kingston #queer #queertravel #travel #lgbtq #lgbtqtravel #gayjamaica #jamaicanpride #jamaicalove #queerbusiness #ourstory #international #goodenergyonly #awareness #future #linkup #newyork #jamsterdam #ragganyc #african #worldmusic #pride #blackbusiness #supportblackbusiness
From the first time I was refused entry into a club in Jamaica, my country because of who I am it has been a dream to create spaces of Authenticity, Love, Expression, Art and Joy. By us For Us ✨So Grateful for everyone who came together to make this a reality 🖤 Still glowing from our 2nd #DOLLBALLJA - Jamaica’s 1st and only running Ball in history - and we are so thankful. We are in awe of our beautiful community here, congratulations to the winners, and big up the the Connek family for inspiring us to foster the ball room scene here in Jamaica. Big up to all the category sponsors like @blacktranstravelfund and to all of you who believe in what we are trying to build here. // We started this journey of bringing events and spaces of love back to Kingston after the COVID pandemic 1st hit and we couldn’t have done without you all. From our Go Fund Me fundraiser campaign in 2021 where we also raised funds for @wechangeja to Connek gala dinners with @yardyworld@tuna__turner to fundraising parties with @ragganyc at @nowadaysnyc in NYC to interviews with @loveinjection.nyc - it has been a long road to make this all happen and we so thankful to all of you who have donated, shared our project, and helped us on this journey. Connek JA is our passion project that we don’t profit from so all your help has meant so much to us. Stay tuned for CONNEK’s next ball and how you can help keep Jamaica’s Ball scene and queer community thriving. Blessings - @1emmanuel & @neonchristina 😘🇯🇲🏳️🌈 #jamaicanpride2022 #jamaicaballroomscene #connekja #ragganyc #ourstory photography by @marinaburnel 😍- thank you so much @marinaburnel // @kimbashy in this photo looking like an ICON!
We’re taking over the beach. 🇯🇲
SALT
Queer Pride Weekend
Montego Bay | Oct 16–19 (Heroes Weekend)
Artwork by @plaidpuma
#SALT #QueerHeroesWeekend #Queertego #Sapphic #SapphicxQueertego #jamaica
The Doll Ball was always an intentional choice. From the beginning, we envisioned a space where our people could breathe, celebrate, feel affirmed, and be held. A space where beauty and belonging are not luxuries but expectations. It’s where resilience looks like trans and queer Jamaicans taking up space, telling our own stories, and turning culture into care. This year, we held our fourth Doll Ball, three days before my birthday. Thank you to everyone who donated, invested their time, energy, talent & efforts ✨🤎
The categories and artistry are powerful, but just as important are the gender affirming packages, the wellness offerings, the workshops, and the quiet moments of connection that happen beyond the runway. These parts of the Ball are not additions. They are the center of it, because we understand that our people need more than applause. We need room to exist with dignity, safety, and joy.
This year made that purpose even clearer with the Doll Ball happening only weeks after Hurricane Melissa devastated communities across the island. Queer Jamaicans are so often left out of disaster response and public relief, and were hit especially hard. Our people found extraordinary ways to support each other. We raised and distributed $8,540 in zero-barrier mutual aid to 61 trans and queer Jamaicans who were navigating displacement, loss, and deep instability. Our community responded with a level of clarity and love that still moves me. When systems forget us, our people refuse to forget one another.
The Doll Ball continues to show that we belong to each other and that the future we want for trans and queer Jamaicans is already being created in real time. Our care is powerful. Our art is transformative. Our resilience is profound. I am grateful every day to witness what our community builds together.
TONIGHT! @_bodyhack_ is BACK with an unprecedented lineup in support of @blacktranstravelfund , @ragganyc , & @connekja ‘s DOLL BALL in Kingston, Jamaica🌴 🥥🌊☀️ @nowadaysnyc !!! We’ll have DJ sets from dancefloor legends @julianahuxtable , @djdeliiish , & @jsport_ 🪩🦜✨alongside sounds by our organizers @cielo__online (happy hour), @cisne.world , & @archangeldj ⭐️ .
🪽⭐️ come thru for a Vogue Class facilitated by @inti.laprince 🌹 during this month’s happy hour 🫀
✨about the class:
📍Nowadays dance floor
⏰ 8:30pm
🕺🏽open to all ❤️ trans BIPOC TO THE FRONT🌹
🗣️class will be bilingual (english/spanish)
Alas Migrantes is a project by @inti.laprince holding space for immigrant communities in Ballroom alongside @hausofluar 🗣️
This class is hosted by @hausofluar and facilitated with assistance from @mermiedbuons and @felixisting 🫀
A resource center connecting LGBTQIA+ folk across country borders in Jamaica, US & worldwide// We put on the 1st ball to happen in Jamaica! 🇯🇲 our crowdfunding efforts this month will support the Jamaican ballroom scene, assist @connekja with creating a haven where Black queer/ trans folks are seen, valued, and adored on the island.
Suggested ticket price is $25 OR MORE for entry 🥰. You can contribute and be a part of this memory by coming out to Body Hack- or contributing to our payment handles :
V- bodyhack C- bodyhackbb . We take card, cash, ven, and CA at the door!
🌠🖼️🌅Major thanks to @doodle.rmb aka @thecreaturealfred for the AMAZING poster art !!
