May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so #KikiswithLouie engaged in an indepth conversation with Shamir, a young queer artist who sheds light on his experiences with his music career and mental health
reggie bullock was one the first person i interviewed for #KikisWithLouie. he generously shared memories of his sister mia and his commitment to make sure that her legacy lives on through his work in advocating for black trans women.
in episode of 8 of #KikisWithLouie, kristina shares how she and her mother got involved with gender justice.
watch full episode:
gran varones turns 5 this year and what better way to begin that celebration by announcing our first fellowship for hiv positive varones creatives.
the positive digital arts fellowship will work with 5 hiv positive latinx and afro-latinx men who identify as gay, queer, trans or bi. the fellowship will provide support and tools on creating digital content that challenges hiv stigma and promotes family acceptance.
for more information or to check out the application
please share with your networks.
Gender identity, sexual orientation, gender pronouns; sometimes specific indicators are limiting to one’s identity. On episode five of #KikisWithLouie, Brendan Jordan explains how checking boxes are for the birds, and that establishing her own genderfluid lifestyle made her that much more fabulous.
Everyone loves a good natural glow! For Brendan Jordan, makeup is a powerful tool as a means for expressing himself and all of his shine. Come get ready with Louie and a little make-up “beat” by Brendan himself. This episode clearly proves that with a little sparkle and shine anyone can Glitter like Mariah Carey!
i am just five days shy of the second anniversary of my 40th birthday. you can celebrate with me by buying me a long island iced tea (with pineapple juice 🍹) - but instead of actually buying me one, you can donate that $15 to THE GRAN VARONES
for the past 4 years, gran varones has been committed to amplifying queer and aids history and the stories of latinx and afro-latinx gay, queer, trans, bi men and bois.
the project is completely volunteer-based and thrives because of community support. so please consider celebrating my birthday with me by donating.
https://www.paypal.me/thegranvarones
[venmo & cash app option available. just message me for info)
This #KikisWithLouie is dedicated to Nigel Shelby and all the LGBTQ youth of color like him who are facing harassment and bullying. LGBTQ youth of color deserve to lead safe and healthy lives in supportive and non-toxic environments. In the latest #KikisWithLouie, Louie returns to Philadelphia to discuss navigating stigma and harassment with young leaders at Galaei , a local queer Latinx social organization that sustained Louie when he was a teenager.
watch full episode:
Episode Two is here!
We know that often times, LGBTQ youth are left out of traditional sex ed curriculums. So where are Queer youth learning about sex and sexuality? We asked this and more to three brilliant young people in this episode of Kikis With Louie. Check it out!
this is one of my fave write ups about kikis with louie. it also helped that i was interviewed by a queer person of color.
on june 8, 2016, after making national news for the pervasive anti-blackness in the gayborhood, philadelphia unveiled their new official pride flag. what made this pride flag notable was that it included black and brown stripes. while it was celebrated by many, it also pissed off many gays who said it was a publicity stunt and that the flag was ruined because it the additional stripes made it about race. ha!
in the two years since, the same gays who hated the flag are now the same ones waving it. mainly because the narrative about the reasons why the flag was created had been so watered down or frankly, just forgotten. .
here is a quick history.
in 2015, gran varones along with the black & brown cooperative, philly for real justice, act up philadelphia, journalist ernest owens and countless others began to sound the alarm on the anti-blackness and violence of gay club owners and lgbtq non-profit leadership. city officials discounted accused us of being the “problem” by “creating division” in the gayborhood.
spearheaded by the BBWC, we supported the successful campaign to get both the director of the office of lgbtq affairs and the ceo of the largest lgbtq organization in the state to resign. because of the campaign and strategic organizing and direct actions, the city created policies that would hold lgbtq businesses and organizations accountable for their anti-blackness. all of this was made possible but the same black and brown queer & trans folks who sacrificed their bodies, social capital and employment to demand accountability.
it was this radical resistance and organizing that inspired philadelphia to adopt the #MoreColorMorePride flag. yes, the flag serves as a reminder of black and brown LGBTQ+ community members but it is also a reminder of black and brown queers and trans resistance. this flag was a product of shifting an entire city to address its anti-blackness.
without the courageous work of the mentioned groups, sharron cook, christian axavier lovehall and many others, this new pride flag would not be possible. may this be remembered 50 years from now.
miss-tries-way-too-hard
calumthomcs
psa. if we’re mutuals, we’re automatically friends. u don’t need to say things like “sorry to bother” or “sorry im annoying” bc ur not. ur my friend. u can come to me for anything. u need help? im here. wanna chat? hmu. just wanna gush abt your muse? go for it. we’re friends. ily.
