JULY2023 ISSUE#033
JULY 2023 ISSUE #034
Exclusive!
BLAQUEOUT'S JAVANNAH DAVIS SITS DOWN FOR A 1:1 LIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE ONE & ONLY TS MADISON ON STAGE AT ST. PETE PRIDE'S SHADES OF PRIDE FESTIVAL!
Tamara Sanaa Leigh
a word.
Editor-In-Chief Reflecting on National Pride Month is a lot this year. First of all, if you plan Pride events, It's hard to enjoy Pride through the exhaustion. The heat, the emotions, the brick walls, the safety concerns, the budget, the policy & legislation , the bigotry, the capitalism and last but certainly not least, the racism, misogyny, and transphobia that exists within every Pride team and every Pride season. On one hand, the beauty of creating safe spaces and the feeling you can ONLY get during Pride celebrations Is worth everything. On the other hand, this year especially has been Incredibly hard to navigate and hard to celebrate. With Anti-Trans & AntiLGBTQ+ bills swirling by the hundreds in every corner of the country, watching celebrations of our authenticity becomes both vital and frustrating. How can we show up for a party but not for a protest? If so many of us exist, how are they able to vote, rule and plot against us? What I do know.. is Black, Queer people are the roses that grow from concrete. No matter how they try to take us out, we find a way to survive. And we always will. Pride this year meant working with the amazing Ts Madison again. It meant being In the largest Pride parade In Florida. It meant once again creating spaces for Black, Queer women and supporting Black & Brown Trans folks. And If I accomplish nothing else, still makes It a hell of a month and a hell of a purpose.
, s n o i t a l u t a a r r g a n m a o T C a own ed
y r m e . a t v n S r s r a o Ou f w l h a g h i s e r L a , M e d d i r n P a e t Gr 's e a P d t ri s o e l F larg e d i r ! P n o ti a r b e l e c
It is time to let it grow.
- Pastor Roni
PORTRAITS PRESTIGE BY:
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PHOTO
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North Carolina
Whosoever Works...
LIVING IN THE LIGHT: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
July 2023
WATCH THE FULL LIVE VIDEO HERE
It was written in the stars at the beginning of this year that I was going to sit down with the incomparable TS Madison Hinton. Who wrote it? I did! The beginning of this year I sat down and wrote out 300 things I wanted to have happen in my life this year. Meeting and working with TS Madison were two of them. A few months ago my affirmation came to reality. I was speaking
with
editor-in-chief
of
BlaqueOut magazine, Tamara Leigh, and she offered me the great task of interviewing
THE
“TS”
during
St.
Petersburg ‘Shades of Pride’ Festival. I couldn’t have been more excited. I had to pull my car over to collect my thoughts on the opportunity I was just offered. It seemed so surreal.
Since the beginning of her social media career when the internet was new, and VINE was a cool 15second way to display your personality and talents, Madison set it ablaze with her off-color humor. There was no one like her at the time, or even still, realizing her potential she took off, and brought her true fans along for the ride. I was right there every step of the way, from 15-second VINES to full-length top grossing motion pictures. Though we lived different lives I felt an almost immediate connection to a woman I knew only, at the time, as the naked transwoman screaming about 22 inches of hair! It was something about her humor and her fearless outspokenness.
PHOTO CREDIT: ZAIRE DOWNS. @UWANTPHOTOSBYZAIRE
I hadn’t transitioned in my life, and watching her on her journey as I was going through mine helped guide me in my decision to live my life fearlessly, out loud, live, and in color! When she said, “STEP YA PUSSY UP BITCH!” I felt that. It was time for me to level up and pull myself out of the dark place I was in. To be free. To be ME! As the years passed and I cheered her successes that came, and prayed for this woman I never knew I’m her down moments, I too was going through what I needed to go through to reach my better day just as she has done. As she triumphed in her life, I began to triumph in mine. All I wanted to do was meet this individual, and possibly work with her, to tell her how much of an impact she had on my life, and how much seeing her grow from where she’d been made my heart glow with joy.
It’s possible that the interview I did with her during the St. Pete's'Shades of Pride’ festival was just ‘another day at the office’, but I have faith that sharing space with her, someway, somehow, the love, positive energy and admiration I have for her will be felt and hold value for the both of us that’s lasting. I wish I had more time to sit and talk with her, but I have faith that another time will come. Stay tuned…
Check out the FULL interview on
DIVERSE
Hampton r o a d s
H
ow did Diverse Hampton Roads come into existence? The idea to start Diverse Hampton Roads came in 2021 during the
pandemic. I was visiting a local restaurant and saw quite a good number of business cards in a designated area. I took some home with me, and I was going through them and noticed most were minorityowned businesses that didn't have a website, and/or some lacked any digital presence. In today's environment, a small business needs to have a digital presence to obtain and maintain growth. A micro or small business without a strong digital presence misses the opportunity to get in front of its target audience. A powerful digital presence doesn't just consist of having a website and some social media accounts. A business's name should be found in a variety of places online to maximize exposure. Unfortunately, a lot of micro and small businesses have limited to no marketing budgets and don't have the information they need to effectively market their business to potential customers. That's why, I decided to create a website with a directory that enables micro and small businesses to enhance their digital
presence/business visibility. I also decided that I wanted it to focus on diverse businesses, which in this country face huge disadvantages when it comes to opportunities for growth. Now, Diverse Hampton Roads has moved beyond just a website with a directory. Our vision is to build a community of diverse entrepreneurs, small business owners, organizations, and customers who champion diversity in Hampton Roads. What services does your organization offer? We have an online directory where business owners can list their businesses to help them gain more exposure, especially in Google search results. Our business listing packages have various features that business owners can choose based on their needs. We also allow members to provide business cards/promo items for us to pass out at community events where we are exhibitors. We do workshops and networking events. In addition, we provide resources on our website to help them to increase their knowledge. These resources are for example, sharing events that are happening in the area, courses (online or in Hampton Roads), and business-building information and tools that can assist them.
REVISITING THE AFTERMATH E.L. WINSTON
"Y'all remember last year this time when I said that the overturning of Roe vs Wade was just the tip of a much bigger iceberg? Well, let's take a look at what has transpired in the year since." 558 anti-Trans bills across 49 states; 83 have passed; 363 are active and 112 have failed.
L
My very right to receive gender affirming care is being attacked. Parents of transgender youth are being persecuted and told they’re not fit to raise their own children. Nevermind that the foster care system is a complete trainwreck and there are parents out here that I'm positive shouldn't be allowed to raise children, but I digress. In Oklahoma, they are trying to pass a bill that will make it a felony for a doctor to offer gender affirming care to anyone under the age of 26. Now the last time I checked, 21 is the legal age for most decision making. Books being banned and diversity being attacked. This is the war that we have been ill prepared for, but it isn't too late to prepare ourselves and win. First, we need to know who we're up against. Any company or person funding the conservative, right wing does not have our best interests at heart. We must stop spending our money with them. We can no longer be participants in our own oppression. When people start talking that right wing rhetoric, debate them with facts.
Which leads to the second aspect of our preparation, we must equip ourselves with knowledge. We must educate ourselves, so that we are able to differentiate truth from fiction. When we share our points of view, we must remain composed and speak with confidence. An inability to articulate our anger allows them to make perception the reality. Painting us as unintelligent, mentally incapable and emotionally out of control creates spaces where we are no longer heard. Third, be involved. We must understand how the government works and engage actively in the election process. Let’s volunteer to sign up new voters. Our young people are too disengaged. In 2024, we can not afford to fumble the bag. WE MUST SHOW UP AT THE POLLS! We must do what we can. We are at an all time high of physical attacks on our community, so caution is necessary, but fear cannot keep us from living. There are self defense kits and self defense classes. We should create safety plans with friends. If we come together, then we leave together.
This fight is gonna be a long and taxing one, but we must fight. Too many of us were sleeping in comfort when Roe v. Wade was under attack, but we can afford that no longer. Thinking Roe v. Wade had nothing to do with us, got us here. We are living the aftermath and the destruction is spreading. Will you take up the mantle with me? Action is now.
THE SEAHORSE DAD LOVES HIS OFFSPRING AND CARRIES HIM WITH PRIDE AND HONOR. IF A SEAHORSE CAN, WHY CAN'T A MAN OF TRANS EXPERIENCE DO IT? SEE SOCIETY SAYS YOU ARE NOT MAN ENOUGH WHEN WE DON'T DO WHAT CISGENDER MEN DO. THE TRUTH IS, AS TRANS MEN WE ARE ALREADY BREAKING THE RULES OF SOCIETAL NORMS. AS TRANS MEN WE DESERVE TO MAKE OUR OWN RULES AND NARRATIVES AND WE DESERVE TO LIVE AUTHENTICALLY. WE ARE NO LONGER BOUND BY THE LAWS OF NATURE BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY CHOOSING A LIFE THAT MOST DON'T UNDERSTAND. TRANSMAN DADS AND PARENTS EXIST FOR A REASON BECAUSE THEY GAVE LIFE IN A WORLD WHERE THEY DON'T EVEN WANT ANY PART OF THE LGBT+ TO BE A PART OF BUT WE ARE STILL HERE AND THRIVING. WHY CAN'T TRANS MEN CARRY THEIR KID IF THEY CHOSE? PEOPLE SAY A MAN CAN NOT HAVE BABIES
E D I T O R I A L
NEITHER CAN SOME WOMEN BUT DOES THAT MAKE THEM WOMEN BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY TO CREATE NEW LIFE? WHY WOULD A MAN OF TRANSGENDER EXPERIENCE BE LESS OF A MAN BECAUSE OF HIS ABILITY TO CREATE LIFE? SOME FOLKS SAY MEN DO NOT HAVE BREASTS. WHAT ABOUT THE GUYS WHO HAVE PLENTY AND ARE NO LONGER MEN? THERE IS NO RULE BOOK THAT SAYS WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT IS NOT. WE ARE ALREADY LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE BINARY RULES THAT WERE PLACED ON OUR LIVES. THIS COMMUNITY IS JUDGED ALREADY BY OUTSIDERS WHO WILL NEVER SEE US AS US. MUST WE INDULGE IN THEIR DEPICTION OF US? IMAGINE US A COMMUNITY COMPLETELY OPPRESSED, OFTEN SILENCED, AND FEARED. WHEN WE ATTACK OTHERS FOR LIVING THEIR TRUTH, WE CONTINUE THE CYCLE INSTEAD OF FINDING WAYS TO LOVE THE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF US. WHEN WE AS TRANSMEN ALLOW OURSELVES TO PLACE OURSELVES IN DIFFERENT BOXES WE BEGIN TO REALLY LIVE. NO ONE DETERMINES OUR RULES, WE MAKE OUR OWN. AS TRANS MEN WE ARE ALLOWED TO DATE MEN IF WE CHOOSE, WOMEN IF WE LIKE AND EVERYONE THAT DOESN'T FIT THE BINARY. IF WE LAY DOWN OR ON TOP OF WHOEVER AND A PREGNANCY OR SEVERAL BE A PART OF THAT STORY THERE SHOULD BE NO STIGMA BECAUSE IT’S A PART OF LIFE. WE AS TRANS MEN NEED TO STOP BASHING OTHERS FOR LIVING AND START EMBRACING HOW AMAZINGLY UNIQUE WE ARE. WE DESERVE A VARIETY OF FORMS OF LOVE AND IT SHOULD LOOK DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF US WITHOUT HATE. AS A COMMUNITY, IF WE STOPPED SUPPRESSING OTHERS AND ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE FREELY. THAT ACTION ALONE WOULD HELP REDUCE SUICIDAL IDEATION’S IN OUR COMMUNITY STEMMING FROM OTHERS FORCED HATEFUL LOGIC. OUR COMMUNITY IS TOO SMALL FOR HATE TO BE THE ONLY MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE FIGHT SHOULD BE FOR OUR RIGHTS, THE RIGHTS WE CONTINUALLY LOSE DAILY WHICH COULD LEAD TO MORE ISSUES. RIGHT NOW IN SEVERAL STATE IF A TRANSMAN GETS RAPED HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET AN ABOLITION SO THAT WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO BE A PREGNANT TRANSMAN UNWILLINGLY OR WILLINGLY. RIGHT NOW IN SOME STATES THEY WANT TO REMOVE THE OPTION FOR A PLAN B PILL. THERE ARE MORE SHOOTINGS IN CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS WITH NO CONVERSATION AROUND GUN CONTROL. TOO MANY CONVERSATIONS AROUND TRANSGENDER CHILDREN BEING ALLOWED TO ATTEND AND NOT ENOUGH CONVERSATION AROUND THE BENEFITS OF LIVING AUTHENTICALLY PAST THE BINARY.
MEL HOWARD
UNDERSTAND THAT AS A COMMUNITY WE ARE BROKEN BUT THE FIGHT SHOULD BE ON THE RIGHTS . WHY CAN’T WE BE SEAHORSE DADS TOO?
IMMANI LOVE
DON'T SAY DESANTIS SHE/HER @IMMANILOVE AUTHOR, POET, PERFORMANCE ARTIST
Florida has a reputation for brilliant sun, pristine sandy beaches, and the playfulness of the giant mouse! It’s the home of fantastic vacations, the hottest nightlife, and a retiree’s dream of a slower paced lifestyle. The Sunshine State beckons most people to enjoy living in a place where their wildest dreams can come true. Unfortunately, if you happen to be LGBTQ+ and live in Florida instead of your wildest dreams coming true, you may currently be living your biggest nightmare. The one where you are being systematically forced back into the closet by a Governor with presidential aspirations who is using our rights as his platform to gain far left supporters. From his “Don’t say Gay” legislation in schools (Don’t Say LGBTQ+ Expansion Bill (HB 1069) to his most recent attacks on the Transgender Community with laws regarding public bathrooms (Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill (HB 1521) and Drag performances (Anti-drag show bill (HB 1438.) In a place where alligators walk through neighborhoods and across golf courses and hurricanes destroy homes in a blink of an eye, the scariest thing in Florida is our government.
Photo Credit: Human Rights Campaign
Being a Black, Lesbian in the Arts community is celebrated in most places but here in the place I’ve chosen to make my home it has become increasingly harder to live my authentic life without fear. Various national organizations have issued travel advisories for our state including the NAACP and Equality Florida telling travelers that it’s not safe to come here, so imagine how it feels to live here. We had restrooms having signs that said “Whatever, Just wash your hands!” Now we have people being confronted and even assaulted by overly helpful citizens “protecting children.” All in support of their beloved Governor, Ron DeSantis. The question is, who’s protecting us from him? With Pride Season in full swing here in Florida, several members of our community find themselves not only being targeted because of the way they look or who they love, they are losing their jobs and livelihoods. Drag performers are financially struggling because their long-standing performance opportunities have dwindled. Many businesses have stopped having Drag Brunches to protect their liquor licenses, smaller Pride
festivals are being cancelled or changing their policies to only allow attendees that are over 18yrs old. This practice not only hurts the adults but makes the critical formative ages of our youth who are trying to find their place in the world almost impossible to express themselves authentically. Our LGBTQ+ Youth are in danger. They are being restricted in their schools with banned curriculum and books, educators are prohibited from speaking about their gender identities, and LGBTQ+ clubs on campuses are being disbanded. In his effort to “protect” our children, Florida’s governor has made many of them more vulnerable than ever! We as a community have taken on the task to go back to the days of why Pride even existed in the first place, as a PROTEST. We have had Drag Marches on our capital in Tallahassee to bring awareness to the strife this legislation has caused and to remind the Florida government that we will not be silenced. We have had non-violent protests at schools in support of our youth and continued to support our Pride organizations financially and with volunteerism.
We continue to hold voter registration drives to make sure that we are represented in upcoming elections. Our community is large and strong and when we unite we have a presence that can’t be denied. We, here in Florida, LOVE our home, we love our diverse communities, and we support the many facets of what it is to be an American. We have big dreams of a beautiful life in a climate where the sun kisses our skin and welcomes us to bask in the unique, varying landscapes from forests with natural springs to swampy everglades brimming with wildlife. We are growing swiftly and as our population expands, so should our awareness of the power of the voter’s voice. The voices of the communities that our government serves have a new battle cry. It is heard in the Gayborhoods throughout the state, it is chanted at rallies, it is worn on shirts and hats to spread the word. Our voices ring loud and clear, in Florida (and hopefully around the world) we “Don’t Say DeSantis!”
Photo Credit: Tamara Leigh