the speakeasy

black lives matter

LGBT history

lgbt history

Black August: A Feminist and Queer Syllabus for Black Liberation

There’s a long and proud Black radical history of fighting back against the prison industrial complex and criminal (in)justice systems. So why is it that most of the voices that…

Carmen Phillips —

Jun 4, 2020

black lives matter

No Justice No Pride

politics + activism

74 Bail Funds You Can Absolutely Support Right Now

Donate to a bail fund. We don’t have to wait for others to commit to upholding the value of Black life and materially improve the lives of Black people. We…

Carmen Phillips —

May 31, 2020

audre lorde

queer theory

book features

Year of Our (Audre) Lorde: May’s Burst of Light

“I am going to write fire until it comes out my ears, my eyes, my noseholes — everywhere. Until it’s every breath I breathe. I’m going to go out like…

Jehan —

May 30, 2020

Asian American

black lives matter

politics + activism

Asian Communities Must Desert the American Empire and Protect Black Lives

We have been drafted to protect white institutions that come at the cost of Black lives. We have been named a “model minority” to convince us that we’ve been saved…

xoai pham —

May 29, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

death is sad

first person

Learning To Live After My Younger Brother Died

When I unexpectedly lost my little brother to cancer, I had to learn how to close out his unfinished business and live life again without him.

An Bùi —

May 26, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

personal essay

identity

The Price I Pay For(ever) My Culture

Being a first-gen, Indigenous, queer, Samoan girl in diaspora almost cost me my Samoan culture. But one day, I’m going to be the queer Samoan elder who looks my grandchildren…

Terisa Siagatonu —

May 25, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

identity

Lost and Found in the Fish Sauce: How I Cooked My Way Back Home

Through my mother’s recipes, I’m reminded of the resilience that flows in our blood. Instead of disconnecting from my body to survive, I nurtured it. Like me, cooking is hella…

Sal Tran —

May 21, 2020

foolish child

Saturday Morning Cartoons

webcomics

Foolish Child #72: State Your Emergency

“Ma’am, I can assure you that refusing to wear a mask to protect your community… is not the ‘new’ N-word.”

Dickens —

May 20, 2020

how to get away with murder

the speakeasy

tv feature

I Am Who I Am: Annalise Keating and the Power of Black Reflection

All I ever wanted to say is, “this thing that happened to me…is why I am the way I am.” But it was easier to deal with everyone else’s disappointment…

Natalie —

May 14, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

identity

Stepping Out Of Silence

When love is a matter of desperation, how do you even begin to know what it is you desire? It doesn’t matter what shape love takes. Or does it?

himani —

May 12, 2020

camping

NSFW

af+

S L I C K: King of Cups

“I distinctly remember you eating my pussy on the banks of the Nile river, ” I say and we both waterfall into each other’s bodies. I climb on top of…

Junauda —

May 7, 2020

the speakeasy

movie reviews

Fatimah Asghar’s Got Game: Watch Her New Short on Anxiety at a Queer Sex Party

“You can’t have a rulebook or a playbook for how to connect. When you’re queer, it’s about negotiating your own way, when the blueprint doesn’t work for you.” Fatimah Asghar…

Kamala Puligandla —

May 7, 2020