"I Needed To See Masculine-Of-Centre Black Lesbians" - with Anna DeShawn

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties

How much of yourself do you bring to the spaces that you spend time in?

How much of the different sides of yourself do you bring out when you are at work? At dinner with friends? Spending time with your family? Hanging out at the club?

Do you dial back your queerness, do you push down your beliefs or censor your thoughts? Or, are you one of those people who is just 100% themselves no matter where they go?

I think that there are merits to both approaches, so I'm not necessarily advocating one over the other.

But, I find it fascinating to examine our behaviours and understand the reasons behind our approaches.

And this is one of the conversations that I had with this week's guest, the host of the Queer News podcast, Anna DeShawn.

Anna is a black, masc-of-centre lesbian, and when she was younger she felt that she had to dial up or dial down different parts of herself depending on where she was. But not, as it so happens, at her lost space - the lesbian bar Star Gaze in Chicago.

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Takeaways

• Finding community and representation is crucial for queer individuals to feel seen and validated.
• Navigating different spaces can be challenging, especially when aspects of one's identity are not fully accepted or understood.
• Creating safe and inclusive spaces, like Stargaze, is essential for fostering a sense of belonging and allowing individuals to be their authentic selves.
• Maintaining energy and confidence while taking up space requires self-care, grounding practices, and a supportive network.
• Figuring out adulthood is an ongoing process, and it often involves navigating financial responsibilities and finding a balance between personal and professional growth.
• Stargaze was a popular lesbian bar in Chicago that provided a space for the queer community to gather and be themselves.
• The closure of Stargaze left a void in the community, highlighting the need for dedicated lesbian spaces.
• Anna's journey of self-discovery and acceptance led her to embrace her black and queer identities and find balance between them.
• The Queer News Podcast is a platform for discussing important topics and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.