SELF: Aspects of Identity
Relaunching Lavender Godzilla during Pride season, the theme of this issue is appropriately enough “Self & Identity.” As a community we are connected by being QTAPI, and although we are not just queer or trans or API, those specific aspects impact our lives in so many different ways. The highly personal works in this issue reflect that commonality, but woven into many different perspectives that ultimately celebrate who we are.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Untitled: Ngoc Nguyen reflects on an immigrant childhood blinded by whiteness and the continuing path to self-acceptance.
The Rise of Phoenix Rising: APIENC is renamed as Phoenix Rising, honoring the legacy of Lavender Godzilla and Phoenix Rising, both pioneering queer API publications.
Naming Myself: Alder Duan Hurley shares their story of a trans person becoming themself, explored through the process of taking on a new name.
Deconstruction of Virginia Please: Evocative photographs provide a personal exploration into the performative nature of gender by the artist Jethro Patalinghug aka Virginia Please.
All Anonymous: Mariselle Moscoso on finding community and connection at their first AA meeting.
Vogue: Danny Wan faces contemporary queer culture and finds himself adjusting his self-definition in an ever-changing space.
The Never-Ending Reign: SNJV, our longest-reigning MR. GAPA, looks back on his journey before and after winning the title.