#contemporary indian transgender artist

[frontlistmedia]

LGBTQ Indian Authors Who Revolutionized the Literary World | Frontlist

The Indian literary landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the years, with diverse voices emerging from every corner of society. 

Among these voices, LGBTQ Indian authors have played a significant role in challenging societal norms and breaking barriers through their poignant storytelling. 

In this blog, we will explore the remarkable contributions of some of these authors who have revolutionized the literary world, giving voice to the LGBTQ community in India and beyond. 

Author R. Raj Rao

R. Raj Rao, a pioneering LGBTQ Indian author, has played a crucial role in shaping contemporary Indian literature. His works, including the groundbreaking novel "The Boyfriend," have explored themes of same-sex desire, love, and identity.

The author fearlessly addresses the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in a conservative society, shedding light on their experiences and humanizing their stories. Through his writing, he has opened up new avenues of discourse, contributing to a more inclusive literary landscape in India.

Author Suniti Namjoshi

Suniti Namjoshi, an esteemed writer and poet, has left an indelible mark on the literary world. Known for her innovative storytelling techniques and unique blend of fantasy and reality, the author explores themes of gender, sexuality, and identity in her works.

Through her critically acclaimed novel "The Blue Donkey Fables," she challenges traditional norms and provides a fresh perspective on issues faced by the LGBTQ community. Her writing serves as a powerful reminder of the power of storytelling to ignite change and promote acceptance.

Author Gazal Dhaliwal

Author Gazal Dhaliwal is a trailblazing figure in the realm of LGBTQ literature in India. As a transgender writer and activist, she has fearlessly shared her journey through her autobiography, "Inside Out."

Her work not only offers insights into the struggles faced by transgender individuals but also celebrates resilience and self-discovery. Her contribution to the literary world is a testament to the transformative power of personal narratives in fostering empathy and understanding.

Author Vijayarajamallika

Author Vijayarajamallika is an emerging voice in the LGBTQ literary space in India. Her debut novel, "Sarangam," delves into the experiences of a lesbian protagonist navigating love, relationships, and societal expectations. By addressing themes of sexuality and self-acceptance, her writing opens up crucial conversations that challenge societal norms and prejudices.

Her work exemplifies the role literature plays in dismantling stereotypes and fostering dialogue within the LGBTQ community and beyond.

Author Hoshang Merchant

Author Hoshang Merchant, a prominent poet and academic, has made significant contributions to queer literature in India. Through his poetic verses, Merchant explores themes of desire, love, and longing, offering an intimate glimpse into the complexities of queer experiences.

His bold and uninhibited writing style has garnered critical acclaim and has provided a platform for LGBTQ voices to be heard. His poetry serves as a testament to the power of artistic expression in breaking down barriers and fostering social change.

The literary contributions of LGBTQ Indian authors have been instrumental in reshaping the narrative landscape of India and beyond. Through their brave and compelling works, the authors have shattered barriers, challenged stereotypes, and brought the experiences of LGBTQ individuals to the forefront. Their stories, often deeply personal and rich in emotion, have sparked conversations, encouraged empathy, and fostered greater acceptance within society.

These authors have demonstrated the transformative power of literature as a means of advocating for LGBTQ rights and dismantling prejudices.

[womensarts-blog]

Kalki Subramaniam, contemporary Indian transgender artist, activist and writer ♀️🏳️‍🌈

[horrifiant]

hey do you know anything more about south asian communities and their histories with allowing AFAB gender nonconformity? were trans masc identities recognised? were lesbians? hoping to find a place to start looking for some more info, thank you!

ok ok ok i want to preface this VERY CLEARLY that i am white . my mom is south asian but i am Very White so i am not an expert at ALL . this being said :

• https://www.desirainbow.org/ is a great resource designed specifically for families (parents+kids) of queer desi individuals. they have a lot of ally resources including recorded zoom meetings you can watch of desi holiday discussion, as well as bits of history- and they host weekly discussions specifically for allies to ask about history and how to be a better ally for desi communities. although this is a contemporary resource I’m including it because those behind it are considered elders/adults and will have more historical stuff for you!

• https://www.queeringdesi.com/ is a podcast that unfortunately hasn’t been updated in a year, but was a desi specific space where the hosts invited different queer south Asians from DJs and drag artists, to proud parents of their trans kids on the show to talk about their experiences and whatever else. again this is one I wanted to include because of the diversity of the guests + their adult insights.

• https://sahodari.org/the-projects/transhearts/ i know again technically not history but i’d like to touch on this trans/nb specific charity based in india using artwork made by these various trans women seeking support.

• https://www.saqtc.org/directory-entertainment here is a HUGE directory of SA/Indian films, books and more all relating to LGBT+ specific subjects!

onto more specific resources:

• We Have Always Been Here, Samra Habib: A Queer Muslim memoir relating to the author’s experience as a child in Pakistan. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43383506-we-have-always-been-here)

• The Truth About Me; A Hijira Life Story, A. Revathi: The autobiography of a young Hijira* growing up and finding her true life in Delhi after facing prosecution for being trans. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8771361-the-truth-about-me?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=nXPFKgFQtF&rank=2#bookDetails)

• Moving Truth(s): Queer and Transgender Desi Writings on Family, Aparajeeta Duttchoudhury: An anthology of 13 real life accounts of South Asian queer people. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25366330-moving-truth-s?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=HG7lB5AU7Q&rank=3)

*Hijra — this’ll be what you find talked about most specifically in conversations of SA/Indian history for GNC, as hijra has been used to describe trans people, intersex people, as well as being referred to as a ‘third gender’. It was harder for me to find a better source for purely because there’s multiple names for them, and I hate using the NYT as a source but unfortunately it’s probably the best overview of what being a Hijra means in SA communities. (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/style/india-third-gender-hijras-transgender.html)

This is a paper written specifically on transgender history within India, and mentions the Hijra’s impact in history relating back to 1500BC.

Here is another article (unfortunately BBC published, but written by an Indian correspondent) that covers more of the Hijra’s origins + newly found discrimination with the increasing western colonialism.

i want to add real quick though a lot of these sources refer to Hijra specifically as AMAB individuals later finding their femininity, the official historical definition was for anyone born who didn’t feel they fit into either male or female categories- so there’s no explicit mention of trans masculinity in these, but it’s fair to assume they were included.

again sorry with what seems like a dismissive link but I promise isn’t, wikipedia. i know. but this has a good set of references to again, how homosexuality changed with the ages and its involvement in art and sculptures- for MLM and WLW.

i hope any of this helps at all!! once again im not tying to like. talk on behalf of south asian queer people, i understand my experiences as a white person in Europe don’t line up with someone who actually is directly asian/indian . if any of these sources are incorrect please let me know, im happy to learn more too!!

[brooklynmuseum]

A Call for Cultural Courage

Dear Friends,

On opening night of the TED2017 conference, just before headliner Pope Francis took the spotlight, artist Titus Kaphar walked to center stage declaring, "I love museums." Standing in front of a large-scale replica of Dutch master Frans Hals’s seventeenth-century painting entitled Family Group in a Landscape, which depicts a European family and a Black servant set against a country landscape, Kaphar began his talk with a story. It went like this: While Kaphar and his two young sons were on an outing to the American Museum of Natural History, the boys were confronted with the 1939 Equestrian Statue of Theodore Roosevelt outside the museum’s entrance. The sculpture depicts Roosevelt on a horse flanked by two men, one Native American and one of African descent. The boys questioned why one man got to ride the horse while the others had to walk. To the children, this seemed unfair. For Kaphar, it was a seminal moment that stopped him in his tracks—the question reminded him of the portrayals of white-dominated hierarchies that pervade our culture.

Kaphar then posed a question for the TED2017 audience: “Can art amend history?” As he asked the question, he dipped a wide household paintbrush in white paint and began to cover his own painting until all the figures, except the young Black boy in the background, were obscured. The audience collectively gasped as Kaphar forced them to consider the focus of their gaze—and whose histories are seen or made invisible. Kaphar concluded his talk by sharing his desire to create art that "wrestles with the struggles of our past" and, in the process, models how art can contribute to shaping history.

If artists and art can wrestle with the past and amend history, so too can museums. And we must. Museums like the Brooklyn Museum were founded on the fundamental belief that the sharing of world cultures would lead to greater understanding and empathy, thereby advancing civilization. Many of us in the museum field still value this glorious ideal. However, we recognize that museums have also privileged Western white narratives while often diminishing the histories of others. This is important to understand because, for better or worse, museums contribute to the narratives that shape our society, and our society is in great need of more empathy and respect.

At this time of social unrest, people around the globe are using protest to call upon their museums to do better. We can debate the accuracy of information and the effectiveness of the strategy, but like it or not, we shouldn't be surprised by protest. As the President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker, recently shared museums are in crisis because America is in crisis. In his recent op-ed in The New York Times, Walker urged museums to do better. Why? Because museums are fundamental pillars of our American democracy and among the few truly public spaces for people to come together, learn, share ideas, and debate; because art has the capacity to inspire empathy; and because people count on museums to confront difficult and important issues with understanding and respect.

So how are we at the Brooklyn Museum striving to do better? 

Lots of ways. First, doing better means understanding that the stories we tell matter. We have therefore made it an institutional priority to present special exhibitions that shine a spotlight on cultural histories that have long been suppressed. For example, we have highlighted issues of systemic racism and have drawn attention to important African American and Latinx artists with exhibitions such as We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965–85 (2017), The Legacy of Lynching: Confronting Racial Terror in America (2017), Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power (2018), and Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985 (2018). We have looked at issues of gender equity across time in A Woman’s Afterlife: Gender Transformation in Ancient Egypt (ongoing) and Roots of “The Dinner Party”: History in the Making (2017). With David Bowie is (2018), we examined the artist’s liberating embrace of gender and sexual orientation. And with our current exhibition Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall, we have taken a contemporary look at LGBTQ+ issues. In Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving (2019), we focused on disability and its impact on the artist’s identity and practice.

In addition to our special exhibitions, we present works from our historical collections in context and in mutual dialogue with the communities they come from. In 2016, we reinstalled our American Art galleries to celebrate our nation’s rich history of immigration. And earlier this year, in the collection installation One: Egúngún, a masterwork from our Arts of Africa collection was displayed alongside extensive new research by the curator of the presentation, who consulted with Yorùbá communities in both Brooklyn and Nigeria to better contextualize the object’s meanings and origins. When possible, we also connect our exhibitions and collection installations to civic organizations devoted to advancing positive societal change that impacts our communities, for example, by partnering with organizations that combat mass incarceration and support the rights of immigrants.

Doing better means becoming Brooklyn’s largest arts classroom by supporting the education of our youth, especially those in our most under-resourced communities. For example, thanks to a grant from the Kenan Foundation, we have partnered with some of Brooklyn’s most financially challenged schools to provide in-school art classes where there were none. Our education programs are also expanding the number of young people who visit the Museum every year with their schools, caregivers, and camps. We have grown our programming for teens, especially LGBTQ+ teens and teens of color. And doing better means supporting creative learning with teacher training and resources to bring the Museum into school classrooms throughout the City.

Doing better means challenging the historical insularity of museums by broadening partnerships with our communities to provide services that are relevant and that have an impact. Today, the Brooklyn Museum works with hundreds of community organizations each year. We invite local artists, artisans, and community service organizations into the Museum to connect with our hundreds of thousands of annual visitors through public programs, workshops, and other events. We host public school graduations, serve as an election polling site, support funding drives for communities that have suffered from natural disasters, and lend our space to local organizations for meetings. We seek the advice of community members on the presentation of specific exhibitions. For more than 50 years, over Labor Day weekend, we have hosted the City’s single largest celebration of Caribbean culture, organized in partnership with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, in our parking lot and culminating in a magnificent parade that ends at our front plaza. You can expect more as we work to grow these commitments.

Doing better means being financially accessible to all, which means remaining affordable despite the very real challenges of funding a major non-profit cultural institution outside of Manhattan. We are proud to be one of the only major art museums in the City with suggested admission, making it possible for many of our audiences to visit our world-class collections for free. We are also proud that on the first Saturday of every month we offer free programming, musical performances, art classes, and other events from 5 to 11 pm, when the Museum is packed and buzzing with thousands of excited visitors.

Doing better also means looking at ourselves and our operations with the goal of advancing our longstanding institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among our ranks. Through the guidance of our new DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Plan we are working to recruit more staff from communities historically underrepresented in museums, including disabled, gender-nonconforming, and transgender people; people of color; and those from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Thanks to Citibank, we actively support pipelines for jobs in our field by partnering with colleges and universities with diverse student bodies (such as CUNY and HBCUs) to recruit interns. Doing better means working toward greater wage transparency and fairness. And it means continuing our efforts to cultivate diversity on our Board in terms of race, gender, disability, socioeconomic status, and professional background—from artists and scholars to community members and business leaders—who share a passion for our mission. We don’t have all the answers, and our work is not without contradictions, but we push ahead as we always have, because our work matters.

Art—and museums—can amend history. And at such a pivotal moment, shouldn’t that be a priority? Indeed, it’s a priority for us at the Brooklyn Museum. So, today Kaphar’s painting is displayed in the very first gallery of the Brooklyn Museum, setting the tone for our audience's journey as we consider who creates historical narratives and how those narratives serve us. It’s a reminder that great cultural institutions must do their best to contribute to a more equitable and empathetic world.

Anne Pasternak Shelby White and Leon Levy Director Brooklyn Museum

Barbara M. Vogelstein Chairman, Board of Trustees Brooklyn Museum

[aethryos]

Scionic Cycle Series Intro - Entire PPT presentation

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon:  Life – Plot Basics

[Image: Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon

AEthryos (logo) 

AEthryos.com]

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon book series

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Life [image of cover]

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Death [image of cover]  

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Rebirth [image of cover]  

Available on Amazon.com for Kindle or paperback

[AEthryos Logo]

About the Author - AEthryos

Asexual, Aromantic, Agender Author and Artist  

Graphic Designer  

Volunteer with PFLAG  

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Inspiration

5 years ago the thought in my head was “What if the Avatar was trans?”

Wrote fanfiction about the next Avatar

Started with trans woman main character

Where are the trans men in pop culture? MC is now a trans man

Possible because Korrasami is canon

Narrative choices

I wanted characters like the people around me

Lots of queer people

I am surrounded by trans/non-binary people, queer people, autistic people, asexual people

I really wanted to show that we are people with wants, needs, hopes, and desires

It’s a fantasy story, not a queer story

[image of the Scionic Cycle globe]

Contemporary, Urban, Fantasy Inspired by Avatar: the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra

1940’s-50’s tech

Primarily in cities

Magic users

Martial arts based

Not wands, staves, staffs or books

4 types of elemental qi [magic]

Earth, Fire, Air, Water

If a person has magic, they only have 1 of these types

the Scion (the chosen one)

Scion has access to all the magic

Reincarnation of previous Scion

Switches between elements every life

[image: drawing of globe, enlarged with location names]

Scionic Cycle: Characters – Scion Wan Yamazaki

1 of 2 main characters

Cisgender, heterosexual male

18 years-old

Original Element: Fire

Conflagration citizen

He is a celebrity

Body type

Medium height

Sinewy muscles

Japanese

Japanese Bruce Lee

[image of a slide with info above. collage of: Tony Stark, arms wide, with text- Keep Calm Cause I Am the Chosen One, Aang from Avatar the Last Airbender with fire behind him, Bruce Lee, Japanese Flag]

Scionic Cycle: Characters –  Dr. Tupilek of the Imaq Tribe of the North 

Cisgender, heterosexual male (You can’t have just 1, otherwise it’s tokenism)

25 years-old

Element: Water qi

Specialization: combining healing qi and blood qi

At forefront of new medical knowledge

From North Pole, Imaq Tribe

Body type

Medium height

“Dad bod”

Inuit

[Image collage: 2 Inuit people in the snow wearing parkas, Dr. James Makokis in an office, Staff of Hermes, open hand with water floating over it, Flag of Nunavut.

[drawing of a dark skin man with a toque, glasses, blue bow tie, and blue polo shirt

[photo: Anthony Johnson and James Makokis are an Indigenous, two-spirit couple won The Amazing Race Canada (Sept. 11, 2019)]

Scionic Cycle: Characters – Ayya Aloma 

Butch lesbian with a crimson mohawk

Mid 30’s?

Element: Air qi

High ranking monk in the Zephyrs

Tibetan monks

World peace keepers with quasi-military

Mayor of the Village

Small neighborhood in Attla City

Self-made, safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals

Advocate for queer rights within city

Body type

Medium height

Thin body from flying

Tibetan

[collage: woman with red mohawk, Tibetan monk, person flying in a full body wing suit, Tibetan flag, Philly pride flag, Lesbian flag - orange to pink

[drawing: dark skin woman with red hair in a mohawk smiling and holding up peace sign in front of the lesbian flag]

Scionic Cycle: Characters – Noble Zifen, a.k.a. Fen 

Autistic, demisexual, genderqueer person.

They/them pronouns

Inspiration – Genderqueer Nicola Tesla

17 years-old

Element: Electricity

Subtype of fire

Has no fire qi, only electricity

Inventor

Born in Conflagration. Now lives in the Village

Body type

Medium height

Japanese

[image collage: background is the  ENIAC  computer, man with prosthetic arm holding a drill, grant imahara, nicola tesla, japanese flag, rainbow infinity symbol with “autism acceptance” written overtop, genderqueer flag, demisexual flag

[drawing of a light skin person with glasses wearing overalls and yellow shirt in front of nonbinary flag]

Scionic Cycle: Characters – Sun Ching 

Asexual, gender non-conforming woman

18 years-old

No qi

So fascinated by qi that she dedicated her life to learning the martial arts of the elements

Master of Earth qi martial arts

Proficient at Fire and Air

Former citizen of city-state Yaosai Jin

Body type

Short, stout

Thick muscular body

Biracial: Chinese and Indian

Binds her chest

Magical world = magical binders (author note: don’t bind and exercise)

[collage: martial artist posing with bo staff, Becky Lynch of WWE holding arms out wide with text “Come at me bro,” Indian Olympian  Mary Kom   flexing with right hand out in victory, Indian Olympian  Karnam Malleswari lifting weights, China/India flags, man wearing binder, asexual flag]

Wait, you are missing the trans character. Where is he?

Scionic Cycle: Characters – Kun Ching

Asexual, transgender man

18 years-old

Light Scion - All the qi

So fascinated by qi that he dedicated his life to learning the martial arts of the elements

Master of Earth qi martial arts

Proficient at Fire and Air

Former citizen of city-state Yaosai Jin

Body type

Short, stout

Thick muscular body

Biracial: Chinese and Indian

Binds his chest

Magical world = magical binders (author note: don’t bind and exercise)

Kun is a trans man.

In denial of his gender identity in the first book

The first book doesn’t bring up his dysphoria directly.

Second book subplot is him reconciling his gender identity.

Third book - his coming out

[collage: martial artist posing with bo staff, Becky Lynch of WWE  holding arms out wide with text “Come at me bro,” Indian Olympian  Mary  Kom   flexing with right hand out in victory, Indian Olympian  Karnam  Malleswari lifting weights, China/India flags, man wearing binder,  asexual flag

drawing: dark skin man with bandage on right cheek, wearing an open, green button down, shirt and a green shirt underneath, in front of transgender flag and wearing asexual button]

Scionic Cycle: Secondary Characters – Chetana of the Zephyrs & Bao of Deserete 

Chetana

Military Police with the Zephyrs

Element: Air

Bisexual

Indian

Bao

Percussionist in Qi Stones

Element: Earth

Bisexual

Chinese

[drawing: Chetana -dark skin woman in red sleeveless shirt holding peace sign and in front of the Philly pride flag and bisexual pin on shirt

drawing: Bao -dark skin woman with green hair, wearing green shirt and black vest, in front of bisexual flag and wearing Philly pride pin]

Scionic Cycle: Main Cast & Relationships 

Here is our main cast: Wan, Tupilek, Aloma, Fen, Kun, Chetana, and Bao

Relationships: Kun and Fen, Aloma and Bao, Tupilek and Chetana

[main cast images: previous drawings of Wan, Tupilek, Aloma, Fen, Kun, Chetana, and Bao

[relationship images: previous drawings in pairs: Kun and Fen,  Aloma and Bao, Tupilek and Chetana]

Scionic Cycle: Dual Protagonists – Wan and Kun 

Set up as yin and yang to each other.

Wan privileged. Kun has worked for everything

Wan is the Scion. Kun wishes he had qi

Wan is flashy and charismatic. Kun is gruff and calculating

Wan is naive. Kun is worldly

Equal in overall strength and skills

Kun is the Light Scion, Wan is the Dark Scion

Unintentional pop culture equivalents

Superman (Wan) and Batman (Kun)

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon:  Life – Plot Basics 

Fantasy Murder Mystery

Wan and Sun are both sent to the South Pole to learn water qi.

There Wan gets mind controlled

Find who did the mind control and why

Themes

Horrors of mind control

Respect

Humility

Friendship

LGBTQ

[image: Book cover -silhouette of a head in profile with a lightning bolt running up their neck, person standing holding a bo staff, also in silhouette, on yellow background. Title on top: Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Life, author name, AEthryos, on bottom left]

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon:  Death – Plot Basics 

Fantasy Spy Thriller

One year has passed since the climax of Life

New info from the climax

Who was behind the Big Bad of Life

Why the mind control?

Themes

PTSD

Depression and suicide

Biological Families

Found Family

Abuse

Kun’s Trans Identity

[image: book cover -three-sided pyramid with shadow to left, color washed out beige, title: Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Death]

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon:  Rebirth – Plot Basics 

Heroes Journey/Corruption

Happens immediately after the climax of Death

Themes

PTSD

Healng from Trauma

Kun’s coming out story where he struggles— and he’s done.

Kun’s heroes journey where he learns to unlock his potential

Wan’s abuse and how it makes him do horrible things

Light Scion and the Dark Scion

Love, romantic and brotherly

[image: book cover -yin/yang style emblem with light green face on left side and dark red face on right on a beige background, title: Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Rebirth, AEthryos logo on bottom right]

Scionic Cycle: Quick Stats 

Life is Small Gods (Terry Pratchett) long at 82,000+ words

2 total rewrites [3 versions total], 3 major edit changes in V3

22 Chapters

Average 3,700 words/chapter

Death is Good Omens (Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman) long at 106,000+ words

3 total rewrites [4 versions total], 4 major edits of V4

31 chapters

Average 3,400 words/chapter

Rebirth is Small Gods (Terry Pratchett) long at 86,000+ words

2 total rewrites [3 versions total], 3 major edits of V3

33 chapters

Average 2,700 words/chapter

Original names: Avatar, Student, Water, Air, Fire (Wan, Kun, Tupilek, Aloma, Fen)

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon book series

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Life [image of cover]

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Death [image of cover]  

Scionic Cycle: A New Aeon: Rebirth [image of cover]  

Available on Amazon.com for Kindle or paperback

[miss-rosen]

LAST WEEK TO SEE “FOCUS: MARTINE GUTIERREZ” AT THE MODER ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH Miss Rosen for VICE

Frida Kahlo once said, “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best.” It’s a sentiment that also eloquently describes Martine Gutierrez, a transgender Latinx artist who routinely performs the triple roles of subject, maker, and muse in her own eclectic body of work.

By establishing a practice of full autonomy, wherein Gutierrez conceptualizes and executes every detail on both sides of the camera, the artist has taken complete control of her narrative. For her latest exhibition,Indigenous Woman, Gutierrez created a 146-page art publication (masquerading as a glossy fashion magazine) celebrating “Mayan Indian heritage, the navigation of contemporary indigeneity, and the ever-evolving self-image,” according to the artist’s “Letter From the Editor.”

“I was driven to question how identity is formed, expressed, valued, and weighed as a woman, as a transwoman, as a Latinx woman, as a woman of indigenous descent, as a femme artist and maker? It is nearly impossible to arrive at any finite answers, but for me, this process of exploration is exquisitely life-affirming,” she writes.

Read the Full Story at Huck

Art: MARTINE GUTIERREZ, NEO-INDEO, LEGENDARY CAKCHIQUEL, P32 FROM INDIGENOUS WOMAN, 2018. © MARTINE GUTIERREZ; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND RYAN LEE GALLERY, NEW YORK.

[sem2designreserach]

This 2019 study examining 18 high-profile museums across the U.S. inferred 85% of artists to be white and 87% to be men (Topaz et al., 2019).

This is an interesting and startling statistic. The lack of diversity with both gender and race amoung high profile museums allows us to see, in terms of the context of my own project, how little representation and acknowledgment  there is for female artists and designers in high profile professional settings. This is an interesting look at the arts sector as if we take that fraction of women and look at how many conduct spiritually led practices, i can make a personal assumption that there would be a very low level of representation. 

[jeffkoresearch]

Jaishri Abichandani: Flower-Headed Children, Craft Contemporary, until 8 May, 2022

This mid-career survey devoted to the Brooklyn-based Indian artist and curator Jaishri Abichandan includes a constellation of multimedia sculptures in which the artist appropriates devotional Hindu and pre-Vedic art to tell modern stories related to cultural identity and gender politics. Works such as End Game (2018)—showing an ominous spirit emerging from the womb of a goddess—and others blend folk and vernacular motifs, animating effigies that are imbued with both autobiographical and mythological themes.

In her practice, Abichandani challenges the often-eroticised nature of these numinous objects and their traditional symbolism. In the late 1990s she founded the South Asian Women’s Creative Collective, a non-profit organisation that champions women, transgender, queer and gender non-conforming artists creating work centred on social activism. The exhibition has been curated by Anuradha Vikram, whose book Decolonising Culture: Essays on the Intersection of Art and Politics (2017) compiles writings dealing with race and gender issues in the contemporary art world.

https://jaishriabichandani.net/home.html

[nyslovesfilm]

Save the Date: Film Festivals and Events

Film festivals and industry events take place in New York State throughout the year. The following is a list of upcoming festivals and industry events: New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival—Through March 2 The 23rd Anniversary Edition of the NYSJFF provides viewers with an understanding of the rich mosaic culture of Jews from the Middle East and greater Sephardic Diaspora.  Contemporary voices steeped in history and tradition are celebrated through this two-week series of events, including première screenings, intriguing stories, powerful documentaries, director Q&As, and The Pomegranate Awards Ceremony.

New York International Children’s Film Festival – Through March 15 Founded in 1997, the New York International Children’s Film Festival supports the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent films for children and teens ages 3-18. The festival cultivates an appreciation for the arts, encourages active, discerning viewing and stimulates lively discussion among peers, families and the film community.

Athena Film Festival – Feb. 27 - March 1 Held at Barnard College, the Athena Film Festival is a weekend of inspiring films that tell the extraordinary stories of fierce and fearless women leaders. Over the last 10 years, the Festival has welcomed more than 35,000 people from all over the world to 200+ screenings of narratives, documentaries, and shorts that feature diverse stories of ambition, courage, and resilience.

New York WILD Film Festival—Feb. 27 - March 1 New York WILD™ is the first annual documentary film festival in New York to showcase a spectrum of topics, from exploration and adventure to wildlife, conservation and the environment, bringing all things WILD to one of the most urban cities in the world.

Rendez-Vous With French Cinema—March 5-15 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema returns with another edition that exemplifies the variety and vitality of contemporary French filmmaking. The films on display, by emerging talents and established masters, raise ideas both topical and eternal, and many take audiences to entirely unexpected places. 

Inwood Film Festival – March 13-15 The festival celebrates and showcases the Inwood community through the moving image, presenting independent films made in the neighborhood or by Inwood-based filmmakers.

Socially Relevant Film Festival NY – March 18-22 Celebrating its  25th anniversary, the Socially Relevant Film Festival NY  aims to raise awareness towards social issues through the powerful medium of cinema.

GLAAD Media Awards (NYC) – March 19 The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the issues that affect their lives. 

Queens World Film Festival – March 19-29 Turning 10 in 2020, QWFF includes an annual multi-day/multi-venue festival, youth-oriented educational initiatives and year-round screening opportunities for QWFF filmmakers, past and present. The festival is programmed in thematic blocks with evocative titles, and each program is followed by a post-screening dialogue to engage audiences from the demographically diverse communities that comprise the borough of Queens.

New York City Short Comedy Film Festival—March 22 Come prepared to laugh at the fifth annual New York City Short Comedy Film Festival that features only films 20 minutes or less in length.

New York City International Film Festival—March 23-27 With a well-earned reputation, nationally and internationally as one of the most respected events of the film festival year, the New York City International Film Festival is committed to bringing the best of the world's cinematography to New York City and to providing a platform for established and upcoming talented filmmakers from the US and around the world to showcase their films.

CineKink NYC – March 18-22 The 17th annual CineKinc NYC will feature a carefully-curated program of films and videos that celebrates and explores the wide diversity of sexuality/ Works range from documentary to drama, camp comedy to artsy experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit — and everything in between.

African American Women In Cinema Film Festival – March 26-28 African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) organization has served as a continuous support for the vibrant work of women filmmakers for the past 20 years, with the mission to expand, explore and create business opportunities for minority women filmmakers throughout the entertainment industry.

NYS Writers Institute Albany Film Festival – March 28 A celebration of storytelling on screen, the kickoff to the inaugural Albany Film Festival will include illuminating the night sky and the exterior of the Science Library on the uptown UAlbany campus with a dazzling 3-D immersive light show.

New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition – March 30 To celebrate everything about New York, emerging screenwriters are invited to submit their work, giving New York talent an opportunity to further their careers by connecting with agents and managers who could represent them to production executives.

New Directors/New Films – March 25 – April 5 The festival introduces New York audiences to the work of emerging filmmakers from around the world, celebrating a group of filmmakers who represent the present and anticipate the future of cinema and includes daring artists whose work pushes the envelope. Presented by Film at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art.

Reelabilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival – March 31 – April 6 The largest festival in the U.S. dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. The festival presents international and award-winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout the city. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.

Transparent Film Festival - April 2-4 The Transparent Film Festival ("TFF") is based in the heart of New York City's buzzing East Village. TFF is only for independent filmmakers. It's not for production companies, not for studios, but only for the individual who puts his or her blood, sweat and tears into telling a story using moving images.

Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival – April 8-11 The Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival (BHFF) is an exciting showcase for contemporary Bosnian-Herzegovinian cinematography, and films with Bosnia and Herzegovina as their theme. Each year, BHFF brings a colorful tableau of Bosnian and Herzegovinian stories to diverse New York City audiences.

St. Francis College Women’s Film Festival – April 15-18 The  festival is committed to celebrating emerging and established female filmmakers and  strives to recognize new and original voices within the St. Francis College community and other university communities, as well as in the international emerging film community. 

Tribeca International Film Festival – April 15-26 The Tribeca Film Festival is a prominent film festival held in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, showcasing a diverse selection of independent films. Since its inaugural year in 2002, it has become a recognized outlet for independent filmmakers in all genres to release their work to a broad audience.

SUNY Wide Film Festival – April 17-19 Film and video are a thriving field of study throughout the SUNY system. From the traditional Hollywood narrative to animation, experimental film and video to documentary work, students and faculty are exploring personal visions through time-based image making. The SUNY Wide Film Festival provides a platform to highlight the work that best exemplifies the dedication and skill found across the SUNY system. 

Manhattan Film Festival – April 23 – May 7 The Manhattan Film Festival is an annual film festival founded in 2006 by filmmakers Philip J. Nelson and Jose Ruiz, Jr. and is currently operated by Nelson and a team of filmmakers, journalists and exhibitors. It was founded as the Independent Features Film Festival.

New York Indian Film Festival – April 27 - May 3 Presented by the Indo-American Arts Council, Inc. NYIFF Celebrates alternative, independent cinema from the global Indian community. The festival is dedicated to providing filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals a platform to showcase their work, as well as creating an environment where filmmakers may exchange ideas with one another, and interact with discerning and diverse audiences, journalists, and aficionados.

Blackbird Film Fest – April 30 - May 3 The festival is FREE for all to attend and prides itself on the high quality of films and filmmakers that fill the 10+ screening blocks throughout the weekend. Each year Blackbird screens 120 - 150 films with an emphasis on short form production. In addition to the many wonderful films, Blackbird also offers a variety of mentorship opportunities, workshops, and industry talks geared toward the seasoned professional as well as the first-time director.

One Take Film Festival – April 30 – May 3 This Rochester film festival has grown out of the Little Theatre's highly successful monthly documentary series that began in 2012. It celebrates and promotes the art of non-fiction filmmaking and stimulates public understanding and appreciation of the documentary film.  Over the course of four days, the art of documentary filmmaking will be celebrated in its many forms with films that inspire, surprise, challenge, enlighten and entertain us.

[salmonycoral]

Martine Gutierrez

“Frida Kahlo once said, “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best.” It’s a sentiment that also eloquently describes Martine Gutierrez, a transgender Latinx artist who routinely performs the triple roles of subject, maker, and muse in her own eclectic body of work.

By establishing a practice of full autonomy, wherein Gutierrez conceptualizes and executes every detail on both sides of the camera, the artist has taken complete control of her narrative. For her latest exhibition, Indigenous Woman, Gutierrez created a 146-page art publication (masquerading as a glossy fashion magazine) celebrating “Mayan Indian heritage, the navigation of contemporary indigeneity, and the ever-evolving self-image,” according to the artist’s “Letter From the Editor.”

“I was driven to question how identity is formed, expressed, valued, and weighed as a woman, as a transwoman, as a Latinx woman, as a woman of indigenous descent, as a femme artist and maker? It is nearly impossible to arrive at any finite answers, but for me, this process of exploration is exquisitely life-affirming,” she writes.

Gutierrez uses art to explore the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and class as they inform her life experience. The Brooklyn-based artist uses costume, photography, and film to produce elaborate narrative scenes that combine pop culture tropes, sex dolls, mannequins, and self-portraiture to explore the ways in which identity, like art, is both a social construction and an authentic expression of self.

I was drawn to Gutierrez’s work as it took me a while to decipher what I was actually looking at. Being a transgender artist means they have experienced the world as both genders and I think this gives her a broader understanding of both worlds. I loved her used of mannequins to portray the fantasy that is presented in fashion magazines and having taken more time to research her work in depth have been inspired by her one person production capabilities.

Fashion editorials and beauty features with titles like Queer Rage, Masking, and Demons pepper the pages of Indigenous Woman, alongside advertisements for faux products like Blue Lagoon Morisco sunless bronzer, paired with the tagline “Brown is Beautiful.” Gutierrez subverts the traditional cisgender white male gaze while simultaneously raising questions about inclusivity, appropriation, and consumerism.

While her exhibition is on view at Ryan Lee Gallery in New York, VICE caught up with Gutierrez to talk about her masterful interrogation of identity.”

Reference:

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kvaey/martine-gutierrez-trans-latinx-artist-indigenous-fashion-photography

[hernandopride]

We'wha (1849–1896, various spellings) was a Zuni Native American from New Mexico, and the most famous lhamana on record. In traditional Zuni culture, the lhamana are male-bodied people who take on the social and ceremonial roles usually performed by women in their culture. They wear a mixture of women's and men's clothing and much of their work is in the areas usually occupied by Zuni women. They are also known to serve as mediators. Some contemporary lhamana participate in the modern, pan-Indian two-spirit community. In 1886, We'wha was part of the Zuni delegation to Washington D.C.. They were hosted by anthropologist Matilda Coxe Stevenson and, during that visit, We'wha met President Grover Cleveland. While We'wha is historically known mainly as a lhamana, as a notable fiber artist, weaver and potter, We'wha was also a prominent cultural ambassador for Native Americans in general, and the Zuni in particular. During this era, We'wha came in contact with many European-American settlers, teachers, soldiers, missionaries, and anthropologists. We'wha's friendship with Matilda Coxe Stevenson would lead to much material on the Zuni being published. Stevenson wrote down her observations of We'wha, such as, "She performs masculine religious and judicial functions at the same time that she performs feminine duties, tending to laundry and the garden" and referred to We'wha as "the most intelligent person in the pueblo. Strong character made his word law among both men and women with whom he associated. Though his wrath was dreaded by men as well as women, he was loved by all children, to whom he was ever kind". We'wha lived for part of their life in the role and dress usually associated with men in Zuni culture, and part of their life in roles associated with women. Friends and relatives have used both pronouns for them. -Wikipedia (artwork by @elijah.haswell) #PeopleOfPride #WeWha #octoberislgbthistorymonth #lgbthistorymonth #historymonth #EliHaswell #lgbt #lgbtq #gay #lesbian #transgender #bisexual #pansexual #asexual #intersex #genderqueer #male #female  #love #acceptance #diversity #lovewhoyouwant #youareamazing #youarebeautiful #hernandopride #hernandoflorida https://www.instagram.com/p/B4AO8UiB1JB/?igshid=1u14ltrl6pueq

[onestowatch]

Celebrate International Women’s Day with 10 Women Who Push Boundaries Past Music

International Women’s Day is the one day a year that women get to shine. In a historically patriarchal society, women are the driving force behind many important projects and movements. They inspire us through their hard work and determination to succeed in a man’s world. These strong females want the world to hear their stories and spread their empowering messages of self-acceptance, love, and much more.  

Discover 10 ladies who are pushing the boundaries past music and inspiring our generation to be the best versions of ourselves. 

Jamila Woods  

Ivy league educated poet and singer Jamila Woods is putting her degree from Brown in Africana Studies and Theatre & Performance Studies to good use. Aside from creating alluring R&B tunes, the Chicagoan is a published poet and the Associate Artistic Director of the non-profit youth organization Young Chicago Authors. She organizes the largest poetry festival in the world, creates curriculum for Chicago public school system, and teaches young people about poetry throughout Chicago. She is inspiring the next generation to take advantage of the creative prowess they all possess.

Ella Vos

Creating music and touring are already difficult, impressive feats, but Ella Vos did it all while battling one of the most evil monsters in the world. While on tour, she found out that she had lymphoma, but still persevered through her tour. The day after she received the news about her cancer, she got on stage and sang her heart out at Okeechobee Festival. She continued to perform while she got treatments. Keep in mind, all of this was occurring as Vos was raising a toddler! Now in remission, Ella Vos is still creating transcendental songs that transport us to her beautiful world.

Ray BLK

Ray BLK is the empowered feminist we all hope to be. BLK stands for Building Living Knowing and perfectly encapsulates the message that she emits. Her R&B anthems tackle very controversial contemporary issues, from police brutality to the #MeToo movement, and are inspiring people to take change and form their own opinions.

King Princess

Not only is she the princess of indie pop, but she is the queen of the LGBT+ community. King Princess is making more than just indie pop bops; she’s giving a voice to an entire community. Her outspoken activism shines through in her recent song, “Pussy Is God,” that racked up over 12 million streams on Spotify alone. King Princess is not only making waves through her music, but she is inspiring millions to embrace their sexuality and own their identity.

Charlotte Lawrence

Charlotte Lawrence knows how to make the most of what she has. Her dreamy voice has led her to a career in music, but before that, she was a runway model. Starring in campaigns for huge designer brands, such as Balmain, Fendi, and Cynthia Rowley, Lawrence truly knows how to multitask. The 18 year old’s insane work ethic inspires so many, older and younger than her, to be just as productive and successful as her.  

Dounia

Social media is an extremely powerful tool and Dounia has been using it to empower women to embrace everything about themselves. Growing up between Morocco and Queens, Dounia uses her extensive cultural experiences to advocate for individuals of color and women who don’t match the idealized “perfect body.” Dounia’s candid lyrics and tweets inspire a new generation of individuals who embrace the concept of self-love.

Lennon Stella

Lennon Stella has it all. Finding her voice on Youtube with her sister Maisy, Stella has been working tirelessly to succeed since she was an 11 year-old posting singing covers to her channel. Since then, she has released her own music, which is pop gold, and starred in the ABC hit television show Nashville. Stella’s success in both industries proves that women can really do anything they put their mind to.

Raveena

Exploration and acceptance are the two words that influence Raveena’s otherworldly R&B tracks. She has found her own personal acceptance through natural meditation methods, such as hypnotherapy, reiki, and crystals, and exuding happiness. The Indian-American artist embraces her culture and is changing the way people think of South Asians in American media.

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor is the epitome of a triple threat. She sings, she dances, she acts, and she excels at it all. Her extremely successful career all started in 2006 when she choreographed for Beyoncé. From there, she became friends with many of the biggest stars today, including Kanye and Pharrell, who helped her find her musical voice. Taylor validates that women are strong, influential, and can accomplish anything.

Kim Petras

Truly the pop princess we all asked for, Kim Petras has been pushing social boundaries since she was a teenager. The openly transgender pop star is the youngest person to ever undergo the gender confirmation surgery, and she has been an active advocate for the transgender community. She made documentaries and strived to support everyone in the LGBT+ community. She has played a vital role in normalizing being transgender and is now providing bop after bop to fulfill our wildest pop dreams.

[illbefinealonereads]

Another blog tour day! How much do you know about A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian? Keep scrolling to learn more, and read my spoiler free review.

A People's History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian Published: March 19th 2019 Algonquin Books ISBN 1616207582 | ISBN13 9781616207588

Heaven is a thirty-year-old slum hidden between brand-new, high-rise apartment buildings and technology incubators in contemporary Bangalore. In this tight-knit community, five girls on the cusp of womanhood-a politically driven graffiti artist; a transgender Christian convert; a blind girl who loves to dance; and the queer daughter of a hijabi union leader-forge an unbreakable bond. When the local government threatens to demolish their tin shacks in order to build a shopping mall, the girls and their mothers refuse to be erased. Together they wage war on the bulldozers sent to bury their homes, and, ultimately, on the city that wishes that families like them would remain hidden forever. Elegant, poetic, and vibrant, A People's History of Heaven takes a clear-eyed look at adversity and geography and dazzles in its depiction of love and female friendship.

"The language [takes] on a musicality that is in sharp contrast to the bleak setting...refreshing...a strong debut." —New York Times Book Review “Subramanian writes with empathy and exuberance, offering a much-needed glimpse into a world that too many of us don't even know exists. This is a book to give your little sister, your mother, your best friend, yourself, so together you can celebrate the strength of women and girls, the tenacity it takes to survive in a world that would rather have you disappear.” –Nylon “The novel tenderly guides the reader into and through the struggles of lives lived at the margins, with a sensitivity to experience that can’t be reduced to an apolitical and static image of slum life. If anything, Subramanian deftly explores what political solidarity can look like…A People’s History of Heaven does not reduce its characters to dozens of fists raised in the air, but instead gives a full account of the extraordinary lives that stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the wreckage of a wealthy city, ready to fight against the bulldozers upon the horizon.” —Believer “A vibrant novel…a beautiful story of love, loyalty, and female friendship.” —HelloGiggles “[A] colorful, dramatic coming of age story.” —Ms. Magazine “This novel features a wide cast of characters and each girl has a unique perspective to offer. This book highlights many themes such as poverty, feminism, transgender issues, and living with disabilities. This beautifully written novel follows these girls as they navigate life’s obstacles with the love and support of their friends and family… I also fell in love with each character very quickly. Each girl in the story is very compelling in their own way, and I kept turning the pages to learn more about them…Perfect for readers who want to learn more about Indian and South Asian culture, or for readers who love stories featuring strong female friendships.” —Reading Women "Subramanian’s observations are sharp, witty, and incisive; her writing is consistently gorgeous. She is passionate about the plight of Indian girls subjected to a patriarchal system that ruthlessly oppresses and devalues them...In depicting the societal ills that oppress India’s women, Subramanian refuses to acquiesce to the plot that fate seems to have written for these girls. With the assistance of each other, their mothers, and a particularly dedicated headmistress — and in ways that stretch credulity — each girl overcomes seemingly intractable obstacles to face another day." —Washington Independent Review of Books “Spending time with this fearsome five is…just plain fun. Slum life is never romanticized. The narrator, an unnamed member of the girls’ inner circle, delivers enough cynical wisdom and pithy commentary to show just how wise these girls are to their plight without dismissing how insidious cultural messages are. What crystalizes is the sure knowledge that none of them are powerless…A People’s History of Heaven forefronts human dignity and the intelligence it takes to survive at the intersection of so much society uses to set people apart, while also making it clear that, ‘in Heaven, anger is not about any one person. It’s about the whole world.’” –Foreword Reviews “Poetic…Subramanian's rich imagery conjures up the bustle of a diverse city where children live in poverty mere blocks from three-story homes where their mothers work as maids. With its heroic young cast, A People's History of Heaven has huge YA crossover potential, and its social commentary makes it a wonderful book club selection. As colorful as a Rangoli design, this bittersweet coming-of-age story will linger in the reader's mind.” –Shelf Awareness “Wonderful…The stories of these young women…are full of emotion and drama, and also fierce power and hope. Their relationships and support for one another is inspiring, making this a beautiful testament to friendship and individuality. More LGBTQ+ novels about people of color, please!” –BookRiot “Subramanian sets her story within the harsh reality of Indian slum life but neither sentimentalizes the poverty of the girls nor dwells on it. Instead, she shows their potential and the joy that they can find with each other.” —Real Change News “Tackling some of the most trenchant issues facing Indian women in particular—casteism, arranged marriage, forced sterilization—as well as women all over the world…It has the heart-on-its-sleeve melodrama of some of the most successful teen novels and films, though it will likely also appeal to adults wanting to tuck in to a novel which is like the brainy big sister of a Lifetime movie. A girl power-fueled story that examines some dark social issues with a light…touch.” –Kirkus Reviews “A People’s History of Heaven forefronts human dignity and the intelligence it takes to survive at the intersection of somuch society uses to set people apart.” –Foreword Reviews “How can a novel about a group of daughters and mothers on the verge of losing their homes in a Bangalore slum be one of the most joyful and exuberant books I’ve read? Subramanian writes without a shred of didacticism or pity, skillfully upending expectations and fiercely illuminating her characters’ strength, intelligence, and passionate empathy. A People’s History of Heaven should be a case study in how to write political fiction. Each page delighted and amazed me.” –Heather Abel, author of The Optimistic Decade “Strong debut…Subramanian’s evocative novel waves together a diverse, dynamic group of girls to create a vibrant tapestry of a community on the brink.” –Publishers Weekly “Everything about A People’s History of Heaven is wonderful: the lyrical, light touch of the narrator, the story, the humor, and most of all, the girls. This novel—as shiny and crinkly and heartbreaking as "cellophane the color of false promises"—overflows with girls I want to meet, befriend, celebrate, and shelter from the ills of their world. But they don't need me to do that! Faced with bigotry and bulldozers, these girls know exactly what to do: stick together and help each other learn, love, see, fight. These are girls who ache, girls who build, girls who claim or escape girl-ness. Read about Banu, Deepa, Joy, Rukshana, Padma, and Leela: These are girls who save the world.” –MinalHajratwala, author of Leaving India “What a thrill to read a novel as daring and urgent as A People’s History of Heaven. It’s a story about defiance in the face of erasure, about the survival tactics of an unforgettable group of girls. I can’t remember the last time I encountered a voice of such moral ferocity and compassion.” —Tania James, author of The Tusk That Did the Damage “Everything about A People’s History of Heaven is wonderful: the lyrical, light touch of the narrator, the story, the humor, and most of all, the girls. This novel…overflows with girls I want to meet, befriend, celebrate, and shelter from the ills of their world. But they don't need me to do that! Faced with bigotry and bulldozers, these girls know exactly what to do: stick together and help each other learn, love, see, fight. These are girls who ache, girls who build, girls who claim or escape girl-ness. Read about Banu, Deepa, Joy, Rukshana, Padma, and Leela: These are girls who save the world.” —MinalHajratwala, award-winning author of Leaving India

Mathangi Subramanian is an award winning writer, author, and educator. A former public school teacher, senior policy analyst for the New York City Council, and assistant vice president at Sesame Workshop, Mathangi Subramanian's work has appeared in The Washington Post.com, Ms. Magazine Digital, Zora Magazine, Al Jazeera America, Quartz, The Hindu, The Wire, The Indian Express, and the Seal Press anthology Click! When We Knew We Were Feminists, among others.

She has received various fellowships, including a Fulbright-Nehru Senior Scholarship, a Jacob Javits Fellowship, and an Office of Policy and Research Fellowship from Columbia Teachers College, where she completed her doctorate in communications and education in 2010.

In 2019, her novel A People’s History of Heaven was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and named a Skipping Stones Honor Book.

Genre: Adult Fiction

Rating: 5/5 stars

Review: A People’s History of Heaven is a one of a kind book. It has a wonderful cast of characters that are well-developed and intriguing, and they are masterfully executed as they jump off the page and grab onto your attention. The story is heartwarming, in the end it left me feeling like I’ve experienced something I never will again. The book is written beautifully, the style felt fresh and it flowed really well. The book was paced just to my liking, it kept me entertained from the start, and it kept me focused on the story throughout. I definitely recommend this book. I think it’s an unmissable read that you should check out.

[robinsoncenter]

[Qsc_asuw] 1/29/19 Newsletter

Welcome to Week Four! <3   

Artist Spotlight of the Week : 

Alia Romagnoli is a        21-year-old queer and bi-racial freelance        photographer and art director with a BA in Film and Television from        the University of Westminster. She mainly shoots PoCs and mixed-race        individuals and her focus is on fashion and portraiture. The        concepts in her work relate to her biracial background as        well as the countries she grew up in- being half Indian and half Italian        and now based in the UK, she works between London, Bangalore, and        Paris.

Our community is one composed of powerful immigrants,        refugees, black, and indigenous folks and during this time we must        protect and fight for our friends and families by all means necessary.        As those we love are endangered, we stand with QTPOC's to abolish        I.C.E, borders, prisons and to fight against U.S militarism        in order to create a more just world for all. 

On behalf of the QSC,        we are honored and grateful for the opportunities we will have this        year to celebrate you, to heal with you, and to work in solidarity        with you.

The Queer        & Trans People of Color Alliance (QTPOCA) will        be meeting this Friday (Location TBD!)

       2nd Annual        New Year, New Queer: Living Ancestors        (February 1,        2019) 6 PM - 10 PM                Join us for a QTIPOC Showcase of QTIPOC Evergreen Students and Pacific        Northwest QTIPOC guest Artists. Reception        with snacks, refreshments, and mingling at 6:30 pm, followed by the        showcase from 7-10pm. Join our emcees, Sin Amen        and Sumahi, for a night of fabulous entertainment, of song, dance,        spoken word, and drag! Our performers include:                Nic Masangkay        DJ PHENOHYPE        Queerbigan        Moonyeka        So’le Celestial        Teddy Soe        Britt Pierro        Omar & Mimi                Suggested donation for admission: $5, no one turned away for lack of        funds        ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:        **All restrooms will be all-gender at this event.**        PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS TO THIS EVENT AND/OR        SMOKING AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE THE EVENT.        This event is located at the COM Building's Recital Hall, and has        wheelchair accessibility.

       Free,        rapid HIV Testing and PrEP counseling provided by Lifelong.        (Monday,        January 28th) 1 PM - 4 PM        First come, first serve, walk-in appointments available on the last        Monday of every month during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters!                 Other Times Offered (All        times at Q-Center from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM) :  

Monday,             January 28th

        Monday,             February 25th

        Monday,             March 25

        Monday,             April 29

        Monday,             May 27       

ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:     

The             Husky Union Building is near landmarks such as Allen Library,             Padelford and Sieg. For a map, search HUB on the campus             maps: http://www.washington.edu/maps/.The             HUB’s front entrance is wheelchair accessible and the common area             is to the right of the main desk.

        An             all-genders restroom can be found at the 3rd floor, down the             hallway from the Q Center. Gender binary bathrooms with multiple             stalls can be found on each floor of the HUB.

        The             HUB IS not kept scent-free but we ask that you do not wear             scented/fragranced products (e.g. perfume, hair products) or             essential oils to/in the Q Center in order to make the space             accessible to those with chemical injury or multiple chemical             sensitivity. To request disability accommodation, contact the             Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-6452             (TTY), 206-685-7264 (fax), or dso@uw.edu preferably 10 days in advance.

       Indigenous        Teen Art Show Opening Reception

(Sunday, February 3, 2019) 4 PM - 6        PM @ The Vera Project        Warren and Republican, Seattle, Washington 98109       

Join             us February             3rd, 4-6pm at the Vera Project to celebrate the             opening of this exhibition with refreshments and performances             starting at 5pm! This event is free and open to the public. The exhibition will run             February 3 - 28, check the Vera Project             schedule for visiting hours.       

Curated by Aiyanna Stitt        (Choctaw) alongside Moe’nayah Holland and Michael Anderson of Teens in        Tacoma, the yəhaw̓ Indigenous Teen Art Show aims to recognize the        artistic abilities and talents of young people in our communities.        While young Indigenous creatives are under-represented in the        mainstream art world, this show hopes to highlight their capabilities.        Learn more at yehawshow.com.                 ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:        

Our             front (show) door is located at the bottom of a ramp, & our             office door is located at street level with a long hallway that             goes through our recording studio to a wheelchair elevator that             goes from the studio to backstage/ground level.  This means             that whichever door you enter, it’s possible for a chair to get to             our main floor/showroom. The showroom currently doesn’t have a             designated area for disabled seating or wheelchairs; the showroom             is mainly one big open space, but we’d be happy to figure out how             to designate an area if need be.

        Restrooms             are on the ground level and are wheelchair accessible and             gender-neutral. For other accessibility questions, please             contact info@theveraproject.org.

       Alchemy Poetry        Featuring Naa Akua and Carlos Nieto        (Tuesday, January 29,        2019) 7 PM - 9:30 PM @ Alchemy Poetry 

1408 E Pike        Street, Seattle, Washington 98122

Alchemy is a curated performance art space that elevates        voices that are often silenced. Performers in our community focus on        the brilliance of storytelling by offering personal stories and        reflections that are socially relevant. We are powerful artists and our        space allows our audience to witness the craft at its highest form. We        believe that art is a divine power to create community.                $5 Admission        ALL AGES        Limited        Showcase Mic Spots                Every first, third and sometimes fifth Tuesday of the month        at 7pm, we call on two featured performers and a showcase mic at        Lovecitylove.                ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:       

Entry             door to LoveCityLove is at least 32 inches wide       

Restroom             is single stall.        

There             is a grab bar installed in this restroom, clearance measures             TBD.     

There             are 2 couches, and 20 folding chairs available in the space. We             ask that the audience prioritize folks that need to be seated             during the show.      

Parking             is paid street parking, or there is a paid lot on the east side of             the building.       

We             are located near bus routes 11,12, and 2 and 0.4 miles away from             the Broadway and Pike Streetcar stop. 

       (Thursday, January        31, 2019) 2:30 PM - 4 PM         @ D Center at the University        of Washington        1851 NE Grant Ln, Seattle, WA 98105, Seattle, Washington 98105                Join the D        Center for the Kusama: Infinity movie screening!        Following the movie we will be having an optional informal discussion.       

Yayoi             Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in             sculpture and installation but is also active in painting,             performance, film, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts.

        This             documentary covers her modest beginnings in Japan to becoming an             internationally renowned artist. Yayoi Kusama also talks of her             experience with mental illness and how art has helped her.       

ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:     

The             movie will be captioned.       

MGH             024 is mobility aid accessible and scent free space. Please do not             wear any fragrances.       

Please contact dcenter@uw.edu with        any questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you!

       Thriving While Trans:        A Love Manual        (Saturday, February        2, 2019) 6:30 PM - 9 PM         @ Seattle Central College's Erickson Theater, 1524 Harvard Ave                Thriving While        Trans: A Love Manual is a literary project that centers        testimonies of transgender thriving and resilience. TWT gives trans        artists a place to publicly revise and claim a trans narrative that        highlights the immense amount of strength, creativity, love, and        intelligence steeped in transgender lives. Welcome home! This event        features poetry, storytelling, music, and dance. This project was        supported, in part, by an award from 4Culture.                Performers include:        Ebo Barton        Katherine Alejandra Cross        Mateo Cruz        Esther Eidenberg-Noppe        Tobi Hill-Meyer        Dorothy Frances Kent        Nic Masangkay + Collaborators        Cole Peake        Syniva Whitney + Collaborator        Emceed by Amber Flame!        Produced by Cody Pherigo.                TICKETS: https://thriving.bpt.me                Admission comes with an anthology of performers' work. At least 50% of        ticket sales will be donated to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.                ***Content Warning: Contains some graphic sexual material***                ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION -        REQUIRED READING:              

We             will have an interpreter for Deaf/Hoh audience members, and there             will be a reserved section for you and your guests at the front of             the theater, along with reserved seating for audience members with             limited vision.

        Some             of our performers and audience members have MCS (Multiple Chemical             Sensitivity), which means that perfumes and fragrance can cause             serious harm to them. These fragrances are in air fresheners and             many soaps, hand sanitizers, hair products, laundry detergent, and             more. Please avoid using these scented products before and during             the show. If you cannot comply, or come to the show with these             scents on your person, we will not be able to seat you, and you             will be turned away without refund. For more information on MCS,             please go to: http://www.healsoaz.org/mcs.htm.

        For             audience members with MCS: there will be a reserved section for             you and your guests at the front of the theater with at least 1             air purifier. We cannot guarantee a scent-free auditorium but will             offer a full refund if the event space becomes intolerable and you             need to leave early.

        The             Erickson Theater has 4 wheelchair-accessible seats directly off             the lobby. 

       Let’s Talk is a free        program that connects UW students with support from experienced        counselors from the Counseling Center and Hall Health Center without an        appointment. Counselors hold drop-in hours        at four sites on campus:            

Mondays, 2-4 PM, Odegaard Library Room 222

        Tuesdays, 2-4 PM, Ethnic Cultural Center Room 306

        Wednesdays, 2-4 PM, Q Center (HUB 315)

        Thursdays, 2-4 PM, Mary Gates Hall Room 134E    

Let’s Talk offers        informal consultation – it is not a substitute for regular therapy,        counseling, or psychiatric care. To learn more, visit letstalk.washington.edu.                ACCESSIBILITY        INFORMATION:

The             HUB’s front entrance is wheelchair accessible and the common area             is to the right of the main desk.

        An             all-genders restroom can be found at the 3rd floor, down the             hallway from the Q Center. Gender binary bathrooms with multiple             stalls can be found on each floor of the HUB.

        The             HUB IS not kept scent-free but we ask that you do not wear             scented/fragranced products (e.g. perfume, hair products) or             essential oils to/in the Q Center in order to make the space             accessible to those with chemical injury or multiple chemical             sensitivity. 

        The             ECC has single-stall gender-neutral bathrooms on each floor, near             the gender-binary bathrooms to which signs are indicated. 

        Odegaard             Library is not ADA accessible nor scent free.  

        All             rooms in Mary Gates Hall are wheelchair accessible. Please contact             the Disability Services             Office at 206.543.6450 or dso@uw.edu.             MGH is not scent free.       

Thank you for being a part of our community <3         We are so glad that you are here, and we are so glad to get to know        you!         Have questions about the QSC? Just want to get involved? Find our        office hours online at hours.asuw.org.        To hear more from the QSC be sure to like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter & instagram to stay up to date with        all queer and trans related happenings on campus and in Seattle!                 With love,         Mehria Ibrahimi, Outreach & Engagement Intern. 

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Broward Attractions & Museums

Fort Lauderdale may be known for its beautiful beach but there are plenty of other activities available for those that don’t want the sun in their eyes or sand in their toes. Here are just some of the many attractions and museums in Broward County as represented by Broward Attractions & Museum Members (BAMM). How many have you visited?

Jungle Queen Riverboat

Enjoy a 90-minute fully narrated cruise down the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale's New River, sailing through Millionaire's Row with homes of the Rich and Famous and spectacular Mega Yachts. The Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise & Tropical Isle Tour takes you to a lush tropical isle where you can watch an alligator show, see exotic birds, lemurs, monkeys, and more. The Dinner, Show, and Sightseeing Tour in the evening takes you to the Tropical Isle with an All-You-Can-Eat Dinner with live entertainment during dinner, and a laugh out loud variety show after dinner. 

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, NSU Art Museum’s celebrated permanent collection contains more than 6,000 works. Among its highlights is the country’s largest collection of 19th and early 20th century paintings and drawings by the American realist William Glackens, the most extensive holding in the U.S. of works by post-World War II, avant-garde CoBrA artists from Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam, and extensive holdings of works by leading Latin American artists.

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Take a 30-minute Florida Everglades Tour through the Sawgrass Recreation Park. Your airboat ride will be guided by one of their highly-trained experienced captains, who will take you on a thrilling ride. During the Everglades tour, you'll listen to fun facts about this impressive ecosystem while you take in the exciting sights. Catch one of the Wildlife Shows where you will discover the mysteries of the American Alligator or one of the many adopted and rescued mammals.

Old Davie School Historical Museum

Celebrating its 100th year anniversary, the Old Davie School Historical Museum invites visitors to experience South Florida’s agricultural past and its economically diverse region with artifacts, photographs, articles and maps. The museum houses a restored 1920s classroom and exhibits illustrating both the history of the pioneers’ westward movement into the Everglades and the town that became Davie. The campus also includes a reconstructed 1909 Pioneer Home and the historic Viele and Walsh-Osterhoudt homes, both built in 1912.

Young at Art Museum

Named by the Knight Foundation “as one of the most transformative arts initiatives in South Florida,” Young at Art Museum is a 55,000 square-foot facility designed to inspire, educate and entertain the artist and child in everyone. Explore a world limited only by your imagination. During your visit to Young At Art, you will learn about foreign cultures, ancient customs and a world of fantastic adventures. You'll even have a chance to make a masterpiece of your own!

WMODA Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts‎

The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts is a world-class collection of ceramic art and studio glass in South Florida. Their galleries showcase the finest British and European pottery and porcelain from the last two centuries, including  Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Lladró. Their glass collections feature stunning studio glass by Chihuly and Lalique.

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society

The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society’s campus along the New River includes several of Fort Lauderdale’s most historic buildings including the 1905 Historic New River Inn, which houses the history museum and shop, and the King Cromartie House Museum built in 1907. The Hoch Research Library offers hundreds of thousands of historical documents and artifacts including architectural blueprints, maps, newspaper clippings and photographs making this a fascinating peek into the past.

Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale (NASFL) Museum

The Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum was built on the site of Merle Fogg Field in 1942 as part of the national defense program, serving as one among 257 air stations during World War II. It is the only remaining structure left on the naval base property. On exhibit you will find a Link Trainer, a recreated Soldier's Barracks, history of Flight 19, uniforms, flight gear, medals, insignia, ship plaques, original naval paintings, cartoons, lithographs, and a book and photography collection numbering more than 10,000 images. Admission is free.

Flamingo Gardens

Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens includes over 3000 species of subtropical and tropical plants on 60 acres, featuring 18 of the largest trees of their species and a unique hammock of 200 year old Live Oak trees. The Historic Wray Home has been restored and is now a museum which provides a glimpse of life in the 1930s. The Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary gives residence to over 400 permanently injured and non-releasable birds and animals representing over 80 species of Florida native wildlife including alligators, panthers, bobcats, otters, eagles, peacocks, and of course flamingos.

Coral Springs Museum of Art

The Coral Springs Museum of Art exhibits a vast diversity of works of art by local, national, and international artists. In addition to its impressive indoor galleries, the Museum also offers extraordinary outdoor art experiences. A 54 x 17 foot, hand crafted wall pays tribute to the habitat and beauty of the Florida Everglades through over 7,000 3×3 relief ceramic clay tiles, and the International Peace Garden, with its majestic mosaic egress and numerous sculptures surrounded by lush, eco-friendly landscaping, inspires peace.  

Historic Stranahan House Museum

The Stranahan House was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan, credited as Fort Lauderdale’s founding father, and his wife Ivy Cromartie Stranahan, the area’s first school teacher. It is the oldest surviving structure in Broward County and has served as a trading post, post office, town hall, and home to the Stranahans.  A guided tour of the Historic Stranahan House Museum is like a journey through time and the story of the lives of two extraordinary people and the homestead they created.

Ahtahthiki Museum

In the Seminole language, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki means a place to learn, a place to remember. Nestled in the heart of the Everglades on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is home to more than 180,000 unique artifacts, archival items and experiences. Come and learn about the Seminole people and their rich cultural and historical ties to the Southeast and Florida, as they have made Big Cypress their home for thousands of years.

Plantation Historical Museum

Set amidst a Botanical Gardens Park and butterfly gardens, this quaint museum run by the Plantation Historical Society offers exhibits about the history of the city and other rotating exhibits. Permanent exhibits include artifacts from World War One, the Seminole and Tequesta tribes, memorabilia from the Fire and Police departments, and historically significant families of the city. Admission is free.

International Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Swimming Hall of Fame is a shrine to the history, memory, and recognition of famous swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, open water swimmers and persons involved in life saving activities and education, throughout the world. Exhibits include art depicting famous moments in swimming history, swimwear, and civil rights, as well as memorabilia and artifacts belonging to persons who have promoted or excelled in aquatics.

Art and Cultural Center Hollywood

Housed in a 1924 Mediterranean Revival architecture building, the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood is known for its contemporary visual arts exhibitions. Contemporary artists exhibit in five ground-floor gallery spaces while the upstairs Student Gallery presents a new exhibition each month by students from schools with some of the most dedicated art teachers in the region. Extend your visit to the Center by experiencing the outdoor murals in Downtown Hollywood and visiting ArtsPark nearby. 

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Nestled among miles of beachfront development are 35 acres of a pristine barrier island ecosystem that make up the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, the unique historic estate of artists Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Examples of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett’s easel art, murals and faux painting can be found throughout the Main House and the Bonnet House Studio. The gardens include one of the finest orchid collections in the U.S., playful monkeys and a majestic swan.

Stonewall National Museum & Archives

In its 43rd year of operation, Stonewall National Museum & Archives (SNMA) is one of the only museums in the country dedicated solely to the history, civil rights, and culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. SNMA’s library is the largest lending library of LGBT books, films, and magazines in the United States and its Archives represent over a century of American LGBT history and culture that share the unique stories of this diverse community.

Xtreme Action Park

The largest indoor entertainment venue in Florida, Xtreme Action Park has over 200,000 square feet of exciting attractions and event spaces including Go Kart Racing, Bowling, Arcade, a Ropes Course Adventure, Glow-in-the-Dark Bazooka Blast, a Trampoline Park, Roller Skating Rink, Escape Rooms, an Auto Museum, All American Café, Hershey’s Ice Cream Shake Shoppe, a Sports Bar and so much more! There’s something for everyone at Xtreme Action Park.

iFly Fort Lauderdale

iFLY is where the dream of flight becomes a reality with the new & exciting sport of indoor bodyflight. You’ll fall in love with the sensation & the freedom that comes with floating on air. There’s no plane, no parachute, and no jumping. It’s just you, a smooth cushion of air, and a sense of freedom you’ve never known – until now.

Museum of Discovery and Science

Consisting of 119,000 square feet of interior space, the 300-seat AutoNation IMAX Theater, and an open-air Grand Atrium featuring the Great Gravity Clock, the Museum of Discovery and Science features dynamic interactive exhibits in the natural and physical sciences and a large array of programs. Exhibits include the EcoDiscovery Center where one can take an Everglades Airboat Adventure, experience a Storm Center, see otters at play, and discover prehistoric Florida. Other exhibits explore health, conservation, and the physics of flight.

Butterfly World

Acres and acres of flying delights await you at Butterfly World, from thousands of exotic butterflies to the world's most amazing birds. Butterfly World encompasses 3 acres of butterfly aviaries, botanical gardens and a working butterfly farm and research center. It also includes 2 additional aviaries for tropical birds and an interactive lorikeet encounter, as well as a skilled aviculture care and research staff to support these endeavors.

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FOCUS: MARTINE GUTIERREZ OPENS NOVEMBER 8 AT THE MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH Miss Rosen for VICE

Frida Kahlo once said, “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best.” It’s a sentiment that also eloquently describes Martine Gutierrez, a transgender Latinx artist who routinely performs the triple roles of subject, maker, and muse in her own eclectic body of work.

By establishing a practice of full autonomy, wherein Gutierrez conceptualizes and executes every detail on both sides of the camera, the artist has taken complete control of her narrative. For her latest exhibition,Indigenous Woman, Gutierrez created a 146-page art publication (masquerading as a glossy fashion magazine) celebrating “Mayan Indian heritage, the navigation of contemporary indigeneity, and the ever-evolving self-image,” according to the artist’s “Letter From the Editor.”

“I was driven to question how identity is formed, expressed, valued, and weighed as a woman, as a transwoman, as a Latinx woman, as a woman of indigenous descent, as a femme artist and maker? It is nearly impossible to arrive at any finite answers, but for me, this process of exploration is exquisitely life-affirming,” she writes.

Read the Full Story at VICE

Top: MARTINE GUTIERREZ, DEMONS, XOCHIQUETZAL ‘FLOWER QUETZAL FEATHER,’ P94, FROM INDIGENOUS WOMAN, 2018. © MARTINE GUTIERREZ; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND RYAN LEE GALLERY, NEW YORK.

Bottom: MARTINE GUTIERREZ, DEMONS, TLAZOTEOTL ‘EATER OF FILTH,’ P91, FROM INDIGENOUS WOMAN, 2018. © MARTINE GUTIERREZ; COURTESY OF THE ARTIST AND RYAN LEE GALLERY, NEW YORK.