Ross M. Ramseythe founder of House of Infiniti who lived in New York and had direct ties to many national ballroom cities, particularly Chicagodied Dec. 2. He was in his 50s.
A memorial was held Dec. 9 in New York. Services were held Dec. 13 at St. John Fire Baptized Holiness Church in Brooklyn.
Ramsey was a community advocate, mentor and creative director who long worked in outreach events to decrease HIV, said Solomon Arnold, of Chicago.
"I was at a loss for words when I found out [about his passing )], and that's very rare for me. I was stunned, and then drowned with emotions," Arnold said. "I was devastated, with a feeling I can't describe.
"He was like a gay father to me."
The House of Infiniti, founded in 1990, is a community-based organization and family that utilizes performing and visual arts to uplift and celebrate art, community, talent and family, Arnold said. The group uses art to free, thrive, empower, and improve the house and ballroom community like decreasing HIV, solidifying marriage equality, and increasing queer freedom through creative art innovation and expression, he added.
The House of Infiniti is primarily populated by Black and Latino men, including transgender individuals, Arnold said. "All of these members come together as a family and as a house to do competitions, house and ballroom competitions, which are different categories, such as, vogue, runway and more," he said.
The House of Infiniti opened its Chicago chapter in 2002.
Ballroom has been in Chicago since 1986, and perhaps earlier than that, Arnold said.
Ramsey had a great impact on the gay community, Arnold said. "He found a way to build morale and confidence while also decreasing stigma and HIV. He did it in a way that was centralized through ballroom," he said. "He was very influential in developing leaders.
"He was such a sweet person. He literally cared about people. He would give the shirt off his back. He was a generous, kind, loving, friendly person."
Ramsey's national impact could be seen through social media. For instance, Chris Infiniti Balenciagi, of Pittsburgh, wrote on Facebook that, because of Ramsey, "Infiniti is and will forever be the 'RENAISSANCE' house that re-birthed and ignited the city of Pittsburgh into higher heights and into the contemporary ballroom scene. As a result of the Pittsburgh movement, Ross's leadership, my leadership, Solomon Overall-Mother Infiniti leadership, and the leadership of the house for the past 25 years, THE HOUSE OF INIFINITI was able to receive the highest recognition in ballroom by being inducted into the NEW YORK BALLROOM HALL OF FAME.
"Ross Infiniti, may your legendary legacy and fatherly teachings live within each of us forevermore......TO INFINTI AND BEYOND!!!!"
Izzi Rodriguez of Tampa wrote on Facebook, "We shall never forget what you have contributed to the LGBT community and the ballroom scene; our hearts go out to all of you, you will be missed and always loved Father Infiniti."
Arnold said a fundraiser has been launched to help with Ramsey's funeral arrangements and the 25th Anniversary House Ball in NewYork in 2015. Donations can be made via PayPal.com to the Overall Mother Legend Solomon Infiniti, or contact Arnold via email at: tokingquel@yahoo.com
The 13th annual House Ball in Chicago will be Oct. 31, 2015.