Sol Pendavis

Sol Williams (a/k/a Sol Pendavis) is working as a consultant for Ryan Murphy's latest television series, POSE, a dance musical series set in 1980's New York, featuring the largest cast of transgender actors. In addition to an on-screen role as a judge, Williams assisted in writing and editing the POSE script for historical accuracy. Williams began in the New York City ballroom scene during the 1980's as a member of the House of Omni, eventually joining the House of Pendavis, under Legendary Mother Avis Pendavis. Williams appeared as both narrator and on-screen commentator in the legendary documentary, Paris Is Burning. Williams achieved iconic status in 1980 and is the current father of the House of Pendavis. Williams served his country in the United States Armed Forces, retiring as a Captain in 2012. He currently serves the veteran community with his work at a local VFW Post in Rockville Centre, New York. Williams holds degrees from Metropolitan College in New York and has taught public speaking at the Lawson Centre, a part of the GMHC. In addition to his 2018 work on POSE, Williams has lectured on LGBTQ issues and the significance of Paris is Burning to the development of LGBTQ acceptance at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as well as several live appearances at the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York, as well as events sponsored by BRIC, the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, New York. When he is not consulting, speaking, writing, or acting, Williams lives with his partner of eight years, Stephen Schneider, on Long Island. They enjoy cooking, relaxing, spending time together, and traveling the world to see and understand the vast cultural experiences of others. As Williams puts it, "Seeing the world and different people in the world allows me to broaden my experiences, which only makes me more effective on screen and also behind the scenes. I am looking forward to more adventures and more opportunities to utilize my creative talents for the benefit of the arts and the LGBTQ community as a whole."