It’s Soulful and It’s Survival: A Conversation with Four Drag Artivists in the South
On December 17, 2023, we talked for four hours with our favorite drag artivists in our new city of Charlotte, North Carolina: Oso Chanel, Nova Stella, Lolita Chanel, and Onya Nerves. They discussed the forces that drive their drag and activism and the issues that they’re focused on as leaders in the queer community—from immigrant rights to representation to HIV prevention and care. The title comes from their explanation of the unique power of performing drag in the South. Listening to them talk about facing down death threats and protests, on top of drag bans and anti-queer and trans bills, to transform culture, felt like a revolution in our living room. A brief excerpt of this interview comes out in Scoundrel Time in March, but the conversation in its entirety was so powerful that Freedom Tunnel Press decided to make it available, in book form, at the April 11th COUNTRY OF UNDER Book Launch & Drag Extravaganza, where these four wonders will perform. For those who can’t make the launch, it’ll be available for order here as well.
Shakti: Indian Artivists Resist Fascism (working title)
Several Indian artivists are consumed by the appalling apathy of India’s financially comfortable citizens as India descends into fascism. The ruling rightwing Hindutva establishment is increasingly violating human rights and eroding democracy. For example, police are handing over women from the minority Christian community to Hindutva mobs to be raped and paraded naked through the streets. This is just one of many increasingly blatant acts of violence against marginalized communities. Author and activist Arundhati Roy fully articulates the insanity of the current moment in this video.
We seek essays and visual art for an anthology of resistance. We are particularly interested in voices from the margins. In order to push back against India’s fascist state, which thrives on apathy, voices of dissent must unite. Coming together to amplify our dissent lays the groundwork for resisting India’s vast machinery of suppression.
The relevance of this book is not limited to an Indian audience. Rightwing state establishments around the world use the same political tactics to divide and conquer and erode democracy. Similarly, much of the populace is happy to sacrifice democracy for material comfort.
Many of us continue to be shocked by the silence of friends, family, and community members we hold dear, but we do not believe that they are beyond reach. Our hope is that this anthology will spark vital contemplation and conversations, not only within the Indian community, but across cultures, about the urgency for all of us, but especially those with privilege, to speak out against injustice.