the speakeasy

lorraine hansberry

martin luther king day

politics + activism

What Can Black Queer People Learn From the Lost Queer Joy of the Civil Rights Movement?

More than anything, this year, I wish black queer and trans people JOY. Martin Luther King didn’t fight that damn hard for us not to have a quality of life…

Carmen Phillips —

Jan 20, 2020

martin luther king day

the resistance

politics + activism

Martin Luther King Day Roundtable: What’s In Your Black Justice Toolkit?

Black justice is not the sole responsibility of only black people. We’re asking: What does black liberation look like for you, and what are you prepared to do to get…

The Speakeasy —

Jan 20, 2020

asia

college lesbianage

first person

Curls That Dance Under Any Light: Rediscovering My Queer Hair in India

I’m not sure I am any of the things that the aunties here tell me I am: Good. Hindu. Girl. I’m not sure about a lot of things these days.…

Ananya Kumar-Banerjee —

Jan 16, 2020

disability

queering disability

celebrities (vapid fluff)

Jillian Mercado Is Queer: Model, Activist and Gen Q Actress Comes Out on Instagram

“Being a woman, having a disability, being Dominican, and finally I can add to that magical layer being queer.” — Welcome to the Magic Club, Jillian!

Carmen Phillips —

Dec 15, 2019

sex work

the power issue

issues

Trans Women of Color Organizers Are Building a Movement to Decriminalize Sex Work in D.C.

These trans women activists have banded together in support of a city council bill that, if passed, would decriminalize consensual sex work in D.C. for people who are 18 and…

Neesha Powell-Twagirumukiza —

Dec 13, 2019

interview

staceyann chin

book features

“I Am the Terrorist I Must Disarm”: An Interview with Staceyann Chin

I was in high school when I first saw Staceyann Chin perform, barefoot and incensed. She was fearless in her rage, her sexuality, her eloquence. Now, I feel the same…

Jehan —

Dec 10, 2019

lena waithe

the speakeasy

movie reviews

Lena Waithe’s “Queen & Slim” Left Me Still Hungry for Black Queer Freedom

“For a work touted as blackness for Black people, Queen & Slim ultimately offers not hope or a way forward, but more images of beautiful Black corpses added to the…

Jehan —

Dec 4, 2019

#affiliatemarketing

holiday gift guide

lgbtq+ businesses

Holigay Gift Guide: Support These POC Indie Designers in 2019!

Whatever your feelings about consumerism and capitalism, we think that you’ll agree — it would be great if some of those funds found their way into people of color owned…

The Speakeasy —

Nov 29, 2019

asia

drag

the scene

The Drag Kings of Taipei

I moved to California from Shanghai at fourteen and threw myself into learning how to be an American. It’s a lot like doing drag.

Alison Tam —

Nov 6, 2019

latinx

personal essay

first person

Getting Stonewalled at Stone Mountain

What, were you expecting the National Anthem to be sung in Spanish?

Alyssa Velazquez —

Nov 4, 2019

alice walker

beyonce

astrology, tarot & witchcraft

Black American Gothic: A Southern Herstory of Black Magic Women

For many black Americans, the South holds a bittersweet place in our heart; as much home as sorrow, as much ghostly as ancestral. Detangling our history is harder than detangling…

Krista White —

Oct 30, 2019

Lesbian Musicians & Queer Female Artists

music videos

music

VIDEO PLAYLIST: These Bangers from Rhythm + Flow’s Lesbian Rapper Londynn B

Londynn B is a lesbian Cardi B by way of Grace Jones — all charisma, swagger, and sex. With the bars to back it up.

Carmen Phillips —

Oct 29, 2019