If you haven't seen Paris is Burning, I will throw shade. The monumentally important 1991 documentary about drag culture among the African-American and Latino communities in 1980s New York City is now available for streaming on Netflix Instant, which means you no longer have any excuse to watch some of the greatest 76 minutes of cinema.

Directed by Jennie Livingston, the film chronicles the struggle of the transgendered individuals living in the poverty-stricken areas of New York at the height of the AIDS crisis. It's vastly ahead of its time, and it certainly does not depict the lovable drag queens that are almost commonplace in mainstream American culture. Without Paris is Burning, however, drag culture probably wouldn't have a mainstream audience, even if Madonna co-opted vogueing to such an extreme success in 1990.

The beautiful thing about this film is that it gave a rare voice to those who participated in drag, particularly those who competed in "balls." It also breaks down the stereotypes of drag culture, revealing the diverse group of scenes and gender identities. Most importantly, it sheds a light on the somewhat heartbreaking stories of those who had been thrown out of their homes, were forced into prostitution, or had been afflicted with HIV/AIDS, all while emulating status symbols set in place by the rich, straight, white culture seen as the epitome of the American dream. At the heart of the film, of course, is the sense of camaraderie and family that served as the emotional center of the culture.

It's a wild ride, sometimes sad and often ridiculously fun. It's definitely worth a viewing (or two!) to experience what is tragically an underrepresented sector of the American urban counterculture.