Richard Lamberty might not be well-known to many outside the dance world, but the two-time world champion ballroom dancer is also the co-founder of April Follies, the longest-running and largest queer-partner dance competition in North America. His story, told in partnership with award-winning author Eric Rosswood, is a tale of dedication, creating inclusive spaces, belonging, and finding joy.
Lamberty had loved to dance since he was a child, we learn, and found happiness in doing so in his own way. As a teen at dance camp, where boys were paired with girls, he envied the spins and twirls that only the girls were allowed to do, and practiced them in secret. This eventually helped his success as a ballroom dance teacher, since he knew everyone’s moves.
He still longed for a ballroom dance competition where he could have a male partner, however. The Gay Games offered this opportunity, and he finally found another dance instructor who wasn’t afraid of losing his job if he participated. They found happiness in dancing together, both at the competition and in their neighborhood. Although not all of the neighbors approved, others were inspired. Lamberty wanted more opportunities for dance competitions than the quadrennial Gay Games, however, and with several friends, created April Follies.
The book emphasizes the joy that Lamberty felt in being able to dance in the way he wanted, but also shows us the hard work that he put in, both dancing and advocating. The text balances clear, simple descriptions of key moments in his life with occasionally lyrical passages about dance movements and the emotions of the dancers. Vincent Chen’s illustrations are appropriately sweeping and fluid, with warm, glowing tones, particularly around Lamberty. This is a lovely and highly recommended biography of a queer person who deserves to be better known and whose life and work should keep inspiring.
Backmatter includes more details of Lamberty’s life and a note from him about his feelings and goals during the journey told here.
