Venus Xtravaganza
Venus Xtravaganza | |
|---|---|
A still of Xtravaganza from Paris Is Burning | |
| Born | Venus Pellagatti May 5, 1965 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 1988 (aged 23) New York City, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Strangulation (murder) |
| Occupation | Performer |
| Years active | 1978 or 1979 – 1988 |
| Notable work | Paris Is Burning |
Venus Pellagatti Xtravaganza (May 5, 1965 – December 21, 1988) was an American transgender woman and performer associated with New York City's ball culture scene. She came to national attention after her posthumous appearance in the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, directed by Jennie Livingston, in which her life as a member of the House of Xtravaganza formed one of the film's central storylines. Her visibility and tragic death have since made her an enduring figure in LGBTQ cultural history.