TMan Magazine

Zyon Gray aka Gray The Poet- Spoken Word Artist

Zyon

Washington, DC

When did you first write your first poem? And what was its topic?

I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since I was in elementary school and reading Dr. Suess.  My sister is 10yrs older than me and when she was in high school I used to write silly poems in her Chem notebooks. I loved to perform so I’d round up all my stuffed animals and put on a show for them. My sister would usually interrupt my performance and scold me for ruining her homework.  I always wrote about what I felt at the time…writing has been therapeutic for me since I was a kid.

When did you first start performing spoken word?

Well, my English teachers always complimented my writing and encouraged me to join the literary magazine and attend poetry workshops. I’ve been memorizing my work for as long as I can remember; I like to read my poetry over and over using different voice inflections. Thing is…I am painfully shy so it was difficult to get past that. When I was 17 My older brother took me to a poetry venue in DC and I signed the open mic list with some alias I went by back then, “poetiq one”. I used my older sister’s ID to get in and bought a double shot of Hennessy to calm my nerves. There was a live band and I was trembling like a leaf. Before I knew it The host said, “next on the mic we have a virgin (first time performer)…yall give it up for Poetiq One” the audience clapped. The spot light went smack dab center in my forehead and I broke into a sweat. But I found the greatest feeling in the world on that stage that night. The drug, the muse, the purpose of my life…my passion. My voice carried and captured the audience like they were under a spell. When I was done the host said, “you can’t be a virgin…that was too natural…”

What topics does your spoken word usually cover and why are these topics important to you?

Everything, my poetry is eclectic as me. I’ve been told it’s like epic slam poetry.

As a trans man have you met any challenges as a artist?

Before I transitioned I was well known in the poetry scene and developed quite a following in and out of the GLBT community. I did tons of tracks and featured on other artists cd’s and showcases. I released my first CD collection of poetry in 2007 entitled, “On 2nd Thought” many people fell in love with the CD and my voice…it was like a stepping stone for me at the time. The biggest dynamic I face is my old fan base and fellow artists expecting the “lesbian phenomenon with they subtle smooth raspy voice” and I can’t deliver that any more. I was known as the taboo butch that had a way with word playing what others were afraid to say. I’ve grown into my truth and it’s hard to live in the shadow of my former stage persona.

Are audiences receptive despite your transition?

I have a way of demanding my audience through my poetry.
I wrote a few poems about being trans and I actually got a perfect score in a slam for one of them…the metaphors and imagery I use can’t fit into any box or be labeled…so in turn neither can I as an artist. In doing that I widened my scopes and I am comfortable performing anywhere.

Do you have any advice for trans male artists who are nervous about facing adversity on the stage?

Move at your own pace, don’t allow the pressure of the scene to break you or mold you into something you are not. The minute my voice started changing I knew it was impossible to fit a circle into a square. I adjusted my poetry to my transition. Be comfortable, be you. Don’t use the transition as a crutch or cry for attention. Let your creativity shine through all aspects of you life, the world will catch on. Don’t forget your biological make up- being born a woman gives you the insight that other men don’t have…use it to your advantage so that you can reach the hearts and minds of everyone.

Are you performing or hosting any events soon?

I’m actually competing in the Graffiti DC SLAM finals at 2001 11th Street, NW Washington, DC on March 30th for a $2000 prize against 7 other phenomenal poets. Other than that I’m finishing my book, “She Is The Weather Man – Poems in Offering  of Agnus Dei” looking at a mid summer release.  I perform at local DC and Baltimore open mic venues when I have the time between work and school.

Gray the Poet can be visited at www.thegrayexperience.com

Interview by Christian Axavier Lovehall

Photo Cred- Fawad Ahmed

Zander Keig- Editor/Publisher

Zander

San Deigo, California

Zander, please tell our readers the premise of “Letters For My Brothers.

      The premise of Letters for my Brothers: Transitional Wisdom in Retrospect (LFMB) is that mentorship and brotherhood are important for those who are choosing to transition medically, legally and socially from female to male. The book contains 24 stories, written by transitioned transsexual men, from diverse racial, sexual, socio-economic and age groups, which provide a glimpse into the wisdom each has gleaned along his journey. Each contributor was asked to reflect upon his transition journey and write a letter to his pre-transition self about the challenges, accomplishments, changes and interactions he has experienced.

What inspired such an anthology?

      LFMB was inspired by my own experience with the pre and early stages of transition. In the years prior to starting T, I was reliant upon the information and resources I could glean from online sources, which I found out much later, through mentors, were riddled with half-truths and urban legends. I found that many of the people on the listservs (Yahoo, Google) and attending the community-based FtM support groups were not intending to transition fully (medically, legally & socially), yet they had a lot to say on the topic, both positive and negative, which I found to contain much misinformation and a certain level of bias against transsexuality and transsexual men. As a response to those earlier experiences, I wanted transsexual men to have an opportunity to share their experiences with their brothers, from their actual lived experiences.

Why do you feel it was important for this type of book to be published?

      Because so many people acquire their information about transsexuality and transition from Internet based sources, which seem to have a primary focus on transgenderism, not transsexuality, I felt it was important that this type of book be published. My intention for LFMB was that it would answer questions, provide guidance, offer mentorship, ease concerns and provide an avenue for my brothers to acquire a stronger sense of self, feel supported and feel a sense of belonging to a community of men across the country (USA).

Did you have a mentor, during the early stages of your transition?

      Yes I did. In my second year on T, I had the good fortune of attending a planning meeting for the Compton Cafeteria Riot Commemoration Ceremony, in San Francisco, where I met Jamison Green [the author of Becoming a Visible Man and a contributor to LFMB]. After the meeting, I walked with Jamison to BART (subway station) and asked him if he would consider being my mentor. He said he was very busy with work and school, but that if I could help him with an FtM history archival project, he would be willing to answer my questions, provide advice, offer guidance and teach me about our FtM history and pioneers (like Louis Graydon Sullivan, the founder of the first FtM SF support group in 1986, which is now run by the Lou Sullivan Society - which I co-founded). I wholeheartedly accepted his offer and began spending weekend days at his house with him and his wife, Heidi, learning about the transmen who paved the way for men like him and then men like me and those who are now transitioning and those yet to transition. It was an eye opening experience! It was because of this amazing positive experience with a mentor, that I became involved with mentoring pre and early transition guys, and teens through Trans Youth Family Allies, and started co-facilitating the SF FtM support group and joined the board of directors of TransMentors International- http://www.transmentors.org , and posted my profile on their FtM Mentors Project website (it has about 2000 profiles), which receives 20% of the proceeds from the sale of LFMB.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your earlier transitioning self?

      Well, in LFMB I do exactly that. Instead of just repeating what I wrote for the book, I will provide something original for this article. I would go back to when I was 28 years old, which was when I first learned that there were transsexual men, and tell myself to not be concerned about the effects of testosterone! That is because the reason I did not begin my medical transition until age 39 was due to my concerns about what the T would do to my mind, body and relationship. Thankfully, at age 39, I attended a workshop in San Francisco facilitated by a medical doctor, who had been seeing trans patients for nearly 12 years, and she was able to put all of my concerns to rest and I began HRT one month later!

Where can people purchase “Letters For My Brothers?”

      Thank you for asking! People may purchase a paperback and pdf version through LuLu, an online on-demand book printing service at http://tinyurl.com/62mc6yn. They may also purchase a Kindle version at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00466H99O. And please, if they have Goodreads accounts, they may add LFMB to their book lists at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8425678-letters-for-my-brothers.

Are you working on any other projects presently?

      Yes, I am! Another transman and I recently started a publishing company, Vir Potens Publishers, that will be publishing transmen’s narratives. We are in final edits on a book focused on bottom surgery experiences, Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men and about to put out a call for a second book, Brotherhood is Powerful: An Anthology of Liberationist Writings by Transsexual Men. I was recently elected president of OUTreach, the LGBTQA social work students organization at San Diego State University, where I am a graduate student in the School of Social Work. And, I coordinate a local transmen’s social group DiegoBoyz. I am involved with several other projects, many of which can be followed on my Facebook profile.

Interview by Christian Axavier Lovehall

Saterius- Painter/Sketch Artist

Saterius

Trenton, NJ 

So Saterius, How long have you been an artist and what types of mediums do you enjoy most/specialize in?

Well I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I love art of all kinds so it has always been my passion to be a artist. My most used would be acrylic paints and permenant markers. Lol. But I like non-dry modeling clay and chalk pastels best. I don’t use them to often but when I do its fun.
 

Where do you usually find your inspiration for your work?

Life inspires me daily. My dreams inspire me occassionally. And personal experiences of self and others tend to inspire me too at times.

Do you often follow specific themes when creating?

Not really. Although since my personal journey through my transition I have began a serious of “Trans Portraits” . Its of stages I go through, dreamt of, heard of or can relate to.
 

You also are a tatoo artist? How did this passion come about? I’m definitely going to need one designed soon :)

Yea. Lol. No problem. Well I started to learn for self modifications and a few of my friends  thought that it would be a good idea for me to start doing other peoples as well. So at first I would do tatts for free for practice and then as I got better and also low on supply, lol I began to have people buy my designs and they usually tip nice. But that was 4 years ago. Lol

As a transman, are there certain pieces that you’ve created that touch on gender identity?

Yea. My “trans portraits” are definately. The one with the guitar is actually a person whom I met a while ago online and I saw a pic they had as their profile pic and I asked them if they mind if I sketched it? They said “sure!” And at that time they were masculine identified but not sure if taking “T” was an option for them do to their family “acceptance”, so I understood. “No man, can determine, another mans, manhood.”

Is your art for sale? Do you plan on having an exhibit one day soon?

Not yet. I want them to be exposed to the public a little more and then when the time is right I can sell. But I do personal paintings also. Just let me know your info and we can discuss it. I would love to have an exhibit. I’m currently on the look out for sponsors and venues in the area, so if u have anyone or place in mind, email me sateriusroberts@yahoo.com

Where can our readers find some of your art?

Well I just started my new facebook page- facebook.com/SiR-Arts-and-Tattoos, so be sure to “like” my page if you want to show love and support for my work. I do all types of art work so check it out.

Interview by Christian Axavier Lovehall

Sebastian Jus Flowers- Deejay/Filmmaker

     

 Sebastian Jus Flowers

Brooklyn, NY

      You’re quite an all around artist I must say. How long have you been Deejaying and whats your favorite music to spin?

Ha ha yeah. I never thought that I’d call myself an artist, however the tools have fallen into my hands so what else am I to do but use them to the best of my ability? I’ve been deejaying for parties for nearly 7 years now, however as far as dj programs and actually mixing my own music- only for a year.

 What about being a DJ do you enjoy the most?

Dude, the crowd for sure! The intensity, the laughter, the vibrations, all of the good energy being circulated between myself and my audience is the best feeling ever. Even after the 7 hours or so of downloading and prepping music, the crowd always lets me know that at the end of the day it’s all worth it. 

     Do you have a favorite DJ?

Never really thought about it. I guess it would have to be a tie between DJ Jayhood Business and Venus Iceberg who is well known in NYC for Ghe20 Gothik parties and is a very good friend of mine. On one hand Jayhood is known for his Baltimore club mixes and B-more club is one of my club bumpers, but on the other hand Venus has a killer knack at playing banjee, cunty, get down to the floor music, over southern hip hop instrumentals which no one at a party can deny.

     Do you spin regularly at a venue, so our readers can come check u out….

Unfortunately I do not spin at a regular venue, however you can check out my webpage and facebook for details on my upcoming gigs, as well as contact info so that you contact me if in fact you do know of any venues that I can spin regularly at. Also, I am the official DJ for Bklynboihood parties, so if you want to catch me spin at our large queer events in Brooklyn, NY do check out Bklynboihood.com.

     You also are a film maker….are you presently working on anything new?

WelI, I just finished my exhibition, “WATINA: A Tribute to Andy Palacio, the African Diaspora & to Those Liberated by Gender Fluidity,” which focuses on how the economic and macro structures in the U.S. impacts how we live and experience our lives. I would like to say I’ve been working on it my entire life, but in regards to its physical manifestation only 7 months. It’s actually going to be exhibited at The Audre Lorde Project’s 3^rd Annual Safe Neighborhood Summit in NY this week- can we say stoked? With that being said, I have now re-centered myself behind the lens as owner, director, and producer of Queer Brown Porn. It is the first ever porn site specifically meant to meet the sexual desires of both queer and straight people of color from a feminist perspective. With most porn being made for and by the male gaze, I hope to produce films that are equally sex positive. I began my first day of shooting two days ago, and let’s just say that “the world is about to feel something that it’s never felt before.”

 

Has being a trans man inspired you to tackle certain topics when producing film?

Yes, it definitely has. To be frank, one of my major concerns as a transman was the simple fact that I couldn’t find any type of porn that had both brown and genderqueer bodies in them. You know, you don’t have to walk out of your house to feel like a minority, you can just click a search button and realize how marginalized you are. With search engines failing me and so many others I decided to do something that some folks would consider revolutionary, sexually liberating, and almost crazy, although I would call it a plain necessity- was to make a porn site from a brown feminist queer perspective. And that’s what I did. Look out for the website launch for QueerBrownPorn.com sometime at the end of June. 

     Where can people find more about you and your art?

Folks can contact me via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sebastian.flowers

As well as my personal website: http://www.wix.com/sebastianknows/sebastian-flowers-webpage#!

 Interview by Christian Axavier Lovehall

Photo Cred- http://www.rebeccaemmanuelle.com

Kit Yan- Slam Poet

Kit Yan

Brooklyn, NY 

So Kit, we actually shared a stage recently at Philadelphia’s “Mixtape: A Queer and Trans Showcase” at the Tritone, but didnt get the chance to meet personally lol, however, I really enjoyed your set! Please tell our readers a little about yourself as an trans artist.

I had such a good time at that show and you were amazing! I’m a trans man and I’m really out about that both in my personal life and in my poetry.

:) Aw Thanks, Kit! Well how long have you been performing spoken word and what topics do you usually touch upon?

My first spoken word performance was at the age of 9, covering a Shel Silverstein poem. I write mostly from personal experience so my culture as an Asian American, sex, queer and trans topics, and my hometown in Hawaii. I’ve been on the road non-stop now for 3 years and write a lot about that as well.

Recently you were featured in an HBO Documentary, “Asians Aloud,” what does the film document and what was the experience like for you?

“Asians Aloud” is a documentary that profiled the Asian American experience through people’s personal stories. I told a story about coming out to my grandmother as trans and it felt pretty amazing to be in the show just talking about my life. The Asian American community is really diverse and I’m a part of it with a positive story of trans experience to tell.

 

You perform at many schools and universities…why is it important to you to combine activism with your art?

I love performing for students who are doing good work in their communities in all kinds of ways. People often say that I inspire them, but they also inspire me to keep writing and working. It’s in this exchange that I find we’re all able to create art for a common good. I talk about issues that are important to me and when people find something in my words that they can use or relate to it’s beautiful.

So you were Mr. Transman 2010 huh? Coool! How did that come about?

Haha, it was an alternative beauty pageant with platform, swimsuit, talent, interview, and evening wear categories. I originally wanted to perform at it, but then Murray Hill asked me to be in it. I had no idea it was going to be so official, everyone was really hot and the competition was really fun.

 

Where can people view some of your work and stay posted on your upcoming events?

I’m all over the internet! My website is www.kityanpoet.com but I’m also on Facebook and my twitter is Kityanpoet

Interview by Christian Axavier Lovehall

Photo Cred- Andrew Taylor, Caleb Cole