The Queer Underworld

Photographs By Alma Lucia

L.A. DJ Sulkform threw a party for the Alternative Queer scene of Los Angeles at the Downtown venue, The Lash. The party included Drag performances by Mia Dosin and Meta and DJ sets by Thee DevoL and Sulkform. Photographer Alma Lucia was there to capture the night.

Los Angeles, USA

It was the Sunday night before Memorial Day and the freaks of Los Angeles were ready to party. Armed with two rolls of Portra 800 and Portra 400 film, photographer Alma Lucia set out to document an underground Queer party at The Lash, a popular hangout for the Alternative Scene in Downtown Los Angeles.

“It was an energetic night with booming dj sets in each room,” recalled Alma, “On the outside patio, there were two vendors selling their products. I bought a pair of the cutest earrings from one them, Vishus.”

Upon entering the venue, Alma was welcomed by the dark beats of Thee DevoL, a gay DJ Duo from East L.A. As Alma explored the back room of the venue, she came across interesting and fashionable party-goers, inspiring her to meet them and take their portraits.

As the party continued, Drag Queens Mia Dosin and Meta took over the dance floor and performed while dollar bills flew everywhere. “I documented their performance on my 35mm film camera,” said Alma. Afterwards, one of her favorite DJs and party organizer, Sulkform, played his set. “He is truly such a great DJ,” says Alma, “He knows all the hits”.

Sulkform is a Los Angeles native who started DJing in 2020 and has played at theme nights, drag shows, warehouse parties, and after hours events since then. After DJing for other people’s parties, he decided to throw his own.

“(I want) to give Drag Artists another platform to showcase their talent”, Sulkform says, explaining why he decided to throw his own party, “To give DJ’s another space to harness a crowd, and to give Queer People of Color a place to visit, attend, and participate in a night that is for us all.”

As Alma left the party, she reflected on how much fun she had. “I had a great night. The party truly brought the most interesting crowd from all walks of life to The Lash.”

We’ll see you at the next one.