Saying something or someone is beautiful should never require courage.
Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you so much, Cal State Fullerton, for inviting me to keynote your 2013 Lavender Graduation. I had such a wonderful time speaking, then meeting all of you! Take good care, be amazing, and go TItans!
No Queer Is An Island: An Interview with Ryka Aoki
Chemist. Poet. Fifth-degree black belt. Meet Ryka Aoki, author of the new Lamba Literary Award-nominated book of poetry (and more), Seasonal Velocities. In this interview, we discuss her previous job doing weird science (really, really weird science), publishing her book with a brand-new DIY all-trans press, and her Lamba Literary Award nomination. Highlights include:
- how judo prepared her for a life in the social justice movement,
- how being an abuse victim helped prepare her for an MFA in poetry,
- why your “movement” work doesn’t have to end in becoming jaded and burning out.
Downloadable version here.
(via niapod)
San Francisco Celebrates a Century of Queer Asian Activism
Spirit: A Century of Queer Asian Activism is a two-day event taking place May 10-11 in the City by the Bay, featuring more than 23 amazing acts.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 5/10-5/11/2013: Queer Rebels presents SPIRIT: A Century of Queer Asian Activism. Two-day extravaganza. Innovative. Risky. Expansive.
DESCRIPTION: From the Asian avant-garde to 1960’s activists, Angel Island poets to Slam champions, Queer Asian histories come alive in art. SPIRIT: A Century of Queer Asian Activism features performance, panel, and films, with the following movers and shakers!
SPIRIT is proudly part of the 16th Annual United States of Asian America Festival, and sponsored by Queer Cultural Center. Supported by Red Envelope Giving Circle and Open Meadows.
EVENT LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/187766414706008/
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/QRPRODUCTIONS AND QUEERREBELS.COM
FEATURING 23+ QUEER ASIAN ARTISTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVISTS! SEE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES!
From The Advocate, "Lambda Literary Hosts Rare West Coast Extravaganza Saturday"
The 25th anniversary events bring together Tony-nominated cabaret star Mx. Justin Vivian Bond, 12 Lambda award finalists (T Cooper, Richard Kramer, Ryka Aoki, and more), and Los Angeles literary pioneers Malcolm Boyd, Lillian Faderman, Katherine V. Forrest, John Rechy, and Patricia Nell Warren.
Interview on Trans-Genre.net!
Ryka Aoki on Poetry, Performing, and Publication
Thank you so much to Trans-Genre and Elliott Deline!
Topside Press: Blogging THE COLLECTION with AK Blue
This is the first in a series of reader-responses to The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard. There are a total of 14, each cover two of the 28 stories in the book. Buy your copy of The Collection at the Topside Bookstore and support the future of trans literature.
Reading at Giovanni’s Room, Philadelphia, PA, the oldest LGBT bookstore in the US. October 19, 2012 Photo by Tom Leger. :)
To say, “I don’t get why you are focused on stopping violence against women; why not just work to end all violence?” is like looking at a patient in the emergency room and saying, “I don’t get why you are focused on stopping the massive bleeding; why not just work to treat all the injuries?”
Seasonal Velocities gets a nomination! :D
Wonderful news! Seasonal Velocities is a Lambda Award Finalist! It’s so rewarding; a lot of love went into this book. Thank you to everyone who has supported the press. If you haven’t already, please suggest Seasonal Velocities to your friends! :) Thank you, Trans-Genre Press!
FYI, it’s a beautiful selection of nominees. Too many names to mention. The Collection from Topside is there, Bear Bergman’s book is there, the dearly missed Cheryl B’s book, A. Finn Enke’s Transfeminist Perspectives are just a few. And gosh—I’m in there, too! Yay! Thank you again! Ryka
