She made a name for herself and eventually created the House of Barbara, a group of Black people who compete together on the ballroom scene, but who, more importantly, are essentially a foster family, she said. She is known as Mother Elle, her children come to her for guidance.
But the relationship she has with people in her house is a reciprocal one, she said. They help her as much as she helps them. The more I allow myself to express my vulnerability, the more they feel that it is OK for them to open up about their hardships and to not be afraid to be judged or be seen as weak.