diana-more

[diana-more]

I'll be speaking at 📚🩸 Periods on Campus 🩸📚 May 17th, 2024, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at Concordia University, Montreal and virtual

Panel 2 (3:15 to 4:30pm) - It’s Called a Menstrual Cycle! Towards a sustainable movement and a movement that centres sustainability

[diana-more]

I organized a symposium on menstrual equity in B.C. In it we explore topics beyond, place-based product solutions (ie tampons and pads in public bathrooms). We look at getting high quality disposable and reusable supplies to menstruators across the province, including reservations, remote areas and prisons. We also explore pain management, menopause, education and healthcare. Check out the links for more information. The inaugural 🩸BC's Menstrual Equity Symposium - Building Inclusive Period Poverty Solutions🩸, on October 20 & 21, 2023, at @DouglasCollege in New Westminster, BC. Over the past year, British Columbia has made significant strides in advancing menstrual equity. We are thrilled to invite you to a unique opportunity to come together, exchange knowledge, and support advocacy strategies for adoption by both government and the private sector. This two-day in-person symposium will delve into period poverty reduction strategies, break menstrual stigma, and explore innovative ways of distributing menstrual supplies and education through creative jam sessions, workshops, presentations, and panel discussions. It's a space where champions of menstrual equity, representing diverse backgrounds, will unite to learn from one another and explore ways to increase access in marginalized communities. The Symposium will also incorporate creative expression, such as artwork, a photovoice photography exhibition and music to destigmatize menstruation. Community members, advocates, activists, municipal workers, business leaders, decision makers, and everyone who menstruates are warmly invited to be part of this inspiring event. @DouglasCollege @FreePeriodsCanada Let's #EndPeriodPoverty together! 🩸 #BCMenstrualEquitySymposium #UnitedWayBC #MenstrualCycleResearchGroup#DouglasCollege

[diana-more]

Made bracelets with the Period Poverty Task Force for Menstrual Health Day #MHDay2023 5/28Bracelets have approximately 5 red beads and 23 white to represent an average menstrual cycle. As every cycle is unique,  task force customised their bracelets

[diana-more]

Creative Workshop with Diana More SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | 1 – 4 PM

Join Vancouver-based Xicanx artist and curator Diana More for a creative workshop exploring notions of boundaries, colonial borders and identities.

Inspired by the legacy of Xicanx artists and MOA’s feature exhibition, Xicanx: Dreamers + Changemakers / Soñadores + creadores del cambio, Diana More will facilitate a three-hour creative workshop that allows participants to delve deep into their own creativity through writing and collaging.

Diana More will guide a group discussion and a creative writing exercise about embodying hybrid identities in multiple cultures, inspired by The Third Space and the work of Gloria Anzaldua. Workshop participants will also make “frontera/boundary boxes” to explore the boundaries between outward expression and internal identity. Boxes are decorated with collaged images and texts.

Materials are provided but participants are also encouraged to bring meaningful images or text to decorate their frontera/boundary box.

Bio

Diana More (she/they) is a Xicanx artist, curator and creative participatory workshop facilitator. Born in Tenochtitlan (CDMX), her family moved to the unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples (Vancouver) when she was 5. Starting a life-long exploration into what it means to be Xicana/x; using photography, printmaking, filmmaking, creative writing in English and Spanglish and community.

MOA • $25 + GST Regular (Museum admission included) | $22 + GST MOA Member, Indigenous people, UBC student/staff/faculty   EXHIBITION WORKSHOP

[diana-more]

The commodification of culture in Coco

On this día de muertos, here’s a throwback to my essay for Race and the Cultural Industries module, "The commodification of culture in Coco". The first essay I wrote as part of my MA in Race, Media & Social Justice at Goldsmiths, University of London Contains a lot of soilers, but will ruin the film for you if you've seen it or not. Image: Migra Mouse gets a new job (after Lalo Alcaraz) by Diana More 2017

[diana-more]

A look at the DECOLONISE MENSTRUATION Project

By Project Manager DIANA MORE

    Decolonise Menstruation began as a collaboration between Bloody Good Period, a charity that provides menstrual products to those who can’t afford them, and Decolonising Contraception, a volunteer run collective of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) health professionals working to address health inequalities in SHR (Sexual & Reproductive Health). The goal was to end period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. The project happened through a series of workshops, using sound medical advice and creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies.

Three small groups were created by collaborating with refugee and asylum seeker centres; Xenia, Women for Refugee Women’s Centre and Baobab Women’s Project. Workshops began during lockdown so were held over Zoom. Attendees were mailed out a Welcome Pack (Image 1.) so they could participate in all the creative activities from home and also try out different reusable menstrual options. Internet data vouchers were also supplied, so there was no cost to attend.

Image 1. Welcome Pack

We looked at three main areas that create period shame; physical, emotional and societal pressures. Medical advice was overseen by founder and director of Decolonising Contraception, Dr Annabel Sowemimo.

Topics covered included:

Menstruation language and translations  

Menstruation art, activism and media representation

Pre-colonial and non-colonised menstruation practices

Pre-colonial and non-colonised genders and attitudes towards sexuality

Ethical and environmentally friendly menstrual products

Fibroids, endometriosis, menopause, racial disparities in healthcare  

Ancestral knowledge, alternative healthcare

Self-care and community care

To explore these topics, workshops were broken up into two parts, an educational and a creative half. Beginning with the information section, we gave medical information and discussed theory. It was filled with lots of questions, mythbusting and lively conversations.

One participant shared her experience of understanding decolonising menstruation. She grew up in India, where she was taught that the indigenous community, close to where she lived, ostracised menstruators. When she was at university she went to work in this community and learnt that rather than being sent away in seclusion, menstruation was seen as a sacred time, when women were encouraged to rest. Their husbands took over the cooking and cleaning duties because women had lower energy levels or often were in pain. The participant said she realised that part of colonisation is making us believe that indigenous practices are “backwards” and oppressive to women. Of course, period shame exists cross-culturally and is created by many different factors, but a decolonial perspective helps us all question the way we think about periods and ask what societal factors might influence this. This is why we have to ask how the sacred became dirty.

The second half of the workshops were filled with creative activities like journaling, drawing, creative writing, and digital collage. One of the best received activities was the collective poem writing about first periods (Image 2). We used the cinquain poem format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each giving the required number of words for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. Which created a poem that reflected the similarities, differences, fears and relief of getting your period for the first time.

Image 2 - Group poem by Women for Refugee Women

Another popular activity was creating the groups’ self-portraits (Image 3). Each participant designed an avatar to look like themself. Then, as a group, we put them together and decided which period products they’d like to include in the image. This allowed for participants to remain anonymous and also create positive representation, something racialised menstruators / menopausers don’t often see.

Image 3  - Group Selfie

We shared the creative outcomes on Instagram, reaching over 60K Instagram followers. With a comment section actually worth reading! Many followers shared stories about first periods, shame and stigma, menstrual product preferences and the need for more open discussion. It was really rewarding to share the outcome with the wider community and it also gave participants a real sense of accomplishment, helping to end period shame. We still have a long way to go but Decolonise Menstruation has dispelled a lot of misinformation, started many conversations, and helped participants feel more comfortable and confident with their periods.

For more information on the project, a glossary of sexual health terms, a list of support services and related reading and videos visit decolonisemenstruation.tumblr.com

[diana-more]

In early 2017, as a part of @wretched-of-the-earth  we hosted Ladio Veron of the Guarani-Kaiowa indigenous community in Brazil at DIY Space for London. We held a small but powerful workshop where we got to learn about the struggle of this community against the expansion of agribusiness.

During the workshop we made this little Zine, retelling the story of the Guarani-Kaiowa and where their struggle is at the moment.

It includes Ladio’s original designs on the front and back cover.

Please share it so their story continues to be heard.

[diana-more]

My passion for printmaking

I fell in love with printmaking as a young child, my mom introduced me to screen printing when I was 8. We used it to make gifts for friends and family, and personalise my toys and accessories. It felt really empowering to be able to use creativity to express myself, even if that was just my love of cats on a tote bag. As a teenager I became enthralled by music and started becoming politically aware. I returned to screen printing  t-shirts and patches, to express my devotion to my favourite bands and my disdain for the patriarchy. That is also when I first picked up a camera (35mm film) and my understanding of the power of printmaking really grew. I spent many hours in the darkroom, learning to enhance and manipulate images. I went on to achieve a BA Hons in Photography from London College of Communications and had a very successful career in the UK as a portraiture, music photographer and photo-activist. All the while still experimenting with different print methods like Van Dyke, cyanotypes, paper stencils, linocut, wood block, RISO and of course lots more screen printing! My work covered themes of sexuality, gender, ancestry, identity and belonging, and Xicanidad (what it means to be Mexican in the diaspora). I exhibited my work in the UK and the USA and also curated exhibitions along similar themes with international artists. I also often use printmaking as a part of sexual health workshops, and run workshops specifically to teach print makings' political roots and modern usage in Mexico. And edited many zine, using a RISO and digital printers, to share stories of BIPOC safety and belonging in nightlife spaces. The latest example was with Good Night Out Zine. Printmaking has also been a wonderful way of building community. I felt honoured to represent London Mexico Solidarity in the Make Your Mark tapa organised by MOKU Pacific HQ. Always an inspiration, please check out the facilitators work, Momoe Ink As we've moved to zoom, the creative activities in my workshops have also had to become digital. Handheld prints have become Instagram slide-throughs, I miss the tactility of the prints but they reach a much wider audience. And I have incorporated new techniques like group writing poems, avatar selfies, and menstrual product advice from Decolonise Menstruation workshops. I am passionate about printmaking because it has helped me express myself, especially when I didn't have the words or self confidence to do so. Printmaking has been both a place for artistic expression and quiet contemplation; a meditative stress release. It has allowed me to show love, protest injustice, assert my identity and build community through teaching and sharing my skills. If you have never tried it, I highly recommend it.

[diana-more]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Xenia xenia.org.uk

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[diana-more]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[diana-more]

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. We use creative activities to break down taboos and myths around menstruation and our bodies. One way we did this was to write a group poem using the cinquain format, starting with one word and increasing one word per line upto 5 then back down again. Participants took turns, each contributing as many words as necessary for their line, about their own lived experience of their first period. So the poem reflects, as a group, what it was like to get our first period. An experience nearly half the world has gone through, but something we rarely share with anyone. We also created a group illustration, where each participant designed an avatar to look like them and then they decided which period products they’d like to include.

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project supported by @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

This poem and illustration was created during workshops with Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net 

Period products were created by Sonia Vico exclusively for DM

Originally posted on DC & BGP 

[diana-more]

Originally shared on @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BIPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options.

This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on menstrual cups 🩸 Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception and the asylum seeker and refugee centres, Xenia xenia.org.uk, Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net and Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

[diana-more]

Originally posted on Instagram by BGP and DC Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? This week we look at the participants thoughts on reusable pads 🩸 Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.ukIllustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

[diana-more]

Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta  Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options.

This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product. On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on tampons 🩸. Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception and the asylum seeker and refugee centres, Xenia xenia.org.uk, Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net and Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

🩸Disclaimer when “women” is used We at DM try to avoid saying women or girls when what we mean is menstruators or menopausers. Throughout the workshops we had a lot of discussions on inclusion of all menstruators and transphobia. These topics are new to some of the participants, and as we know it can take a minute to get into the habit of always using inclusive terms. Where women or girl is used in the slide, that is the term that participant used. 

[diana-more]

Repost via • @decolonisingcontraception DC insta & @bloodygoodperiod BGP insta

“Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable?” On this week’s series of Decolonise Menstruation we look at participants thoughts on period pants 🩸 #swipethrough. Stay tune for next week’s post as we go through the thoughts of participants on tampons. “Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for menstruators thinking of trying a new product.”

Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_ Decolonise Menstruation is a joint project between @BloodyGoodPeriod and @DecolonisingContraception

Thank you to following asylum seeker and refugee centres, for putting us together with the participants Xenia xenia.org.uk Baobab Women’s Project baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women refugeewomen.co.uk

Illustrations by @gracemoore_illustration

[diana-more]

Originally posted on Instagram by BGP and DC

Decolonise Menstruation is a series of participant-led workshops aimed at ending period shame within the unique experience of BPOC communities. To figure out the advantages / disadvantages and find out the truth behind some menstrual myths Decolonise Menstruation participants talked about menstrual product options. This swipe through is an introduction to a selection of some of the advice DM participants have for mentrusators thinking of trying a new product.

Has shame, fear of looking foolish, societal norms or anything else, ever stopped you from having a conversation about menstrual products. Do you think you’ve ever missed out on having these conversations with friends, family, coworkers, non menstruators because they didn’t feel comfortable? This week we look at the participants thoughts on disposable pads 🩸 Decolonising Menstruation Project Manager: Diana More @_dianamore_  

Decolonising Menstruation is a joint project between Decolonising Contraception and Bloody Good Period We worked with  Baobab Women's Project: baobabwomensproject.net Women for Refugee Women: refugeewomen.co.uk Xenia: xenia.org.uk Amazing graphics by @gracemoore_illustration

[diana-more]

Throwback to Decolonise Fest 2017, when we created a zine about our lived-experiences of being a punk of colour!