@izzyberdan
Letter from the Creative Director
Izzy Berdan
I still feel sick to my stomach when I remember that there were people promoting the “PTOWN 400” with “sexy” Indians and pilgrims cruising each other. Please take at least 5 minutes after this sentence to acknowledge the Wampanoag people who nurtured this land for thousands of years before the brutal colonization by the pilgrims. 20 years ago, I got my first glimpse of Provincetown. From that point on it has firmly held its title as my favorite place on Earth. Every consecutive year since then I have learned more about the land and the people I share it with. It’s difficult to pretend like I could even remember all of the amazing stories from the artists and families that have lived here at some point or another in their life. Hell, that’s probably why I love documenting so much of the life that happens here over the years. And I’m not alone. There is an undeniable history of art and artistry attached to this town that continues to inspire every following generation. Where there is art, there is love. And this community is one of the most accepting, understanding, nurturing, loving places I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. So what better spot to shelter-in-place once the country started it’s downward spiral a little over a year ago. Like many before me, and many after, I have been given the gift of PTown through the kindness of others. This past summer had to have been one of the greatest gifts of all. Don’t worry this isn’t one of those “everything is amazing” stories… I wish. The truth of the matter is that despite this being my true eyes definition of paradise, the intensity of everything going on in the world even managed to reach this serene and desolate location. One of the main reasons I feel at home here is because I feel safe. I have been assaulted a number of times for the way I look, talk and act, and this is the one place in the entire world where I can freely let my guard down. I would imagine this is what it feels like to be a str8 white guy… everywhere. There are some of us who only get this luxury in designated safe places. For me, PTown is that place. I knew the summer was going to be different and weird but I didn’t expect this much change in both the season and myself. Being the visual spectacle that I am, I’ve become accustomed to the attention I bring on the street and have grown to revel in it. As such, one always prepares for the commercial stroll. What once was an outing to compare lewks with friends on the strip now gave the same appeal of a petting zoo from the animal’s perspective. You’d find yourself having a similar conversation with every other person you knew on the street… “There sure are a lot of straight people here, right?!” It was almost reassuring that others saw it too. Calm down cis, I’m merely talking
FAGRAGMAG.COM FAGRAGMAG.COM
6
