Browsing Tag

BIPOC

Houston-based ‘Paradox Moth’ is the Queer, Black-owned Streetwear Brand Breaking Stereotypes

Posted on June 30, 2022
A photo of Paradox Moth co-founder Chuck Ohamara.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to get creative—in the ways we work, the hobbies we adopt, and the art we make. For queer Houstonian Chuck Ohamara, that creativity birthed Paradox Moth, a fully inclusive, LGBTQ-focused, minimalist streetwear brand. Along with fellow co-creator and queer model Alex Sundstrom, Ohamara set out with a simple mission: to build a fashion brand for everybody and every body. “It started as a side hustle,” Ohamara explains. “We wanted to test how to run…

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Representation on Screen: Powerful TV Series Showcase BIPOC LGBTQ Narratives

Posted on August 5, 2021
A photo of BIPOC LGBTQ TV shows.

In my first-ever article for Spectrum South, I elaborated on the need for and importance of more BIPOC LGBTQ representation within the hip-hop and rap scene, arguing that the industry won’t change for the better until more queer artists—and those in leadership roles within the music industry—live and produce openly. This logic, however, isn’t siloed to the world of music; as more and more BIPOC LGBTQ actors come out, and our narratives are written into episodes, the television industry is…

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As We Emerge: LGBTQ BIPOC Mental Health Following Isolation

Posted on May 28, 2021
A photo of a mental health mural.

Wow, where has the time gone? 2021 has already raced by, and I can’t believe it’s already May. As vaccines are rolling out, it feels like the world is finally starting to open back up just in time for summer, with the prospects of travel and social life on the horizon. While some are chomping at the bit to emerge back into society, others are much less comfortable, still feeling the weight of the pandemic. The month of May marks…

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The Dining Divide: Is Southern Cuisine Open to All?

Posted on April 16, 2021
A photo of southern cuisine.

In my eyes, travel is synonymous with eating. The first thing I do whenever I reach a new destination is search for the area’s most delicious restaurants—ones that are unique, different than those at home, and that have a great environment. But unfortunately, as a queer, Black person, not all restaurants and businesses are as welcoming as I would like, especially when traveling in the South.…

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Visionary Futures: DiverseWorks Exhibition Explores Questions of the Future Through Queer, Non-binary BIPOC Lens

Posted on April 2, 2021
A photo of Visionary Futures artist Y2K.

Showcased by Houston’s DiverseWorks and running between February 19–April 11, the online exhibition Visionary Futures is a series of projects created by six queer, non-binary artists of color that critically explores questions of the future, the ways in which we survive, and the legacies that we leave behind. “We are conditioned through popular culture, art, and music to believe a certain set of standards, and that we have to achieve them,” says DiverseWorks curator Ashley DeHoyos. “Through Visionary Futures and…

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HIV Disproportionately Affects People in the South. Why is Texas Trying to Cut Funding?

Posted on March 23, 2021
A photo of BIPOC people representing HIV Texas.

The numbers are clear: HIV affects people in the South at much higher rates than elsewhere in the nation. Within the southern demographic, the virus disproportionally affects BIPOC southerners. And right here in Texas—where we have the highest uninsured rate in the nation—the state legislature would like to cut funding for the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP).…

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Continuing the Conversation: Black Queer History Doesn’t End in February

Posted on March 11, 2021
A photo of Black queer history.

Well, Black History Month is officially over. As someone in the Black community, the fact that our history is confined to the shortest month of the year is troublesome to say the least. The month is also shared with other holidays, like Valentine’s Day, that tend to dominate the conversation, putting Black History Month on the back burner. And when Black History is acknowledged, it's often focused on slavery, oppression, and campaigns featuring quotes from the most well-known Black historical…

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Let’s Talk About Sex: Navigating Conversations Around Pleasure in the Black Queer Community

Posted on February 14, 2021
A photo of queer pleasure.

Most people have memories of getting the talk. Yes, the talk about S-E-X. Now how this talk happened and what was included can differ greatly. Being Black, queer, and growing up in the Bible Belt, conversations about sex were the definition of “hush hush.” To learn about sex, you had to turn to your friends—which meant conversations were mostly heteronormative and filled with misinformation.…

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