Manchester’s favourite Queer Rave is back back back again and this time, we’re honouring our Queer Icons, who have paved the way, stood with or by us, carried and inspired us. This should not get lost in history and be forgotten about.
Being queer is to be an outsider at perpetual odds with the world and its normativity, binaries, and boxes.
To be queer is to seek out comfort from admiring and empathizing with individual stories of personal triumph from fiercely confident, well-known personalities in pop culture, literature, sport, politics, and many other fields, because you see a little of yourself in them. Because they’re a reminder that yes life is tough when you’re different but when you embrace, appreciate, and encourage that individuality within, you will flourish and there are people and communities that appreciate you and your Art.
To be queer is to hold those histories in high regard, idolizing them and making sure they never go untold.
Cover of the Album “Island Life” by Queer Icon GRACE JONES!
The cover featuring the oiled Goddess in a statuesque pose was created by the illustrator, photographer, and graphic designer Jean-Paul Goude.
Not erasing the past but honouring it and working to keep the names of queer forebears alive.
“Snatch Game” on RuPaul’s Drag Race, a segment where the drag queens must dress up as and impersonate iconic personalities, being a great lesson in Queer history, is a great example of this, Queer icons, really, are sources of comfort and inspiration. Historically, queer men have elevated fierce female personalities because, as Noah Michelson said “queer male sexuality has long been tied to female sexuality due to both sexualities having been so demonized and policed.”
Queer icons are those who have triumphed when almost everything was working against them. They can be anyone or anything.
Cover of the single “Faith” by Queer Icon GEORGE MICHAEL!
Recreation Covers Captured by (@alistopit)