One of my favorite things about being an Adult is when your friends come into town for visits. Sophie, whom I met in Los Angeles a decade ago, has been living in the Midwest for several years (of which we hadn’t seen one another between grad school for her and the pandemic for us both) so I invited her to come hang out with me for a long weekend and it was the best! Bryan, my former photo prof and now one of my dearest friends, was also in town in July and we caught up over cold brew coffees while sitting in Wicker Park.
I live about twelve minutes away from the homie, Junior, who I’ve known since she was but a wee high schooler. We take morning walks together to catch up on each others lives and get our bodies moving before our various work and life responsibilities and it’s really, very lovely. Junior is the best, I love her so much!
My papa bear and I have been taking monthly trips to his new favorite place, the Garfield Park Conservatory. He grew up just a few blocks away from the Conservatory but had never been until I took him back in May and now it’s our new hang out spot. We celebrated his birthday there in early July!
I’ve been photographing myself more, especially when I’m having moments of Peak Gender Euphoria, as evidenced here. Just busy being a sweet, handsome boy, you know?
I dyed my hair orange red!!!! One of my partners said I kinda looked like Ice Spice and well, that wasn’t what I was going for, but I’ll take the compliment :)
Among the visits that occurred in July, my mentor/second dad came to town and I documented a site visit at a Southside museum in town for a very special project that will be happening next year. We got to see the remnants of the Emmett and Mamie Till exhibition that closed at the end of July and it was haunting, to say the very least.
Sophie and I went to the Leather Archives and Museum and got lost in all of the incredible archival materials showcasing queer life in the United States. I particularly loved the restrooms covered in various queer thoughts.
And, finally, I listened to the podcast, Sounds Gay, on queer Classical piano genius Julius Eastman. To be honest, I didn’t really like the entire podcast and barely enjoyed this episode on Eastman but since my gay uncle’s put me on to him last Spring in Oaxaca, I’ve been consuming as much information about Julius’ life and found this quote particularly invigorating.
I, too, wish to be what I am to the fullest: Black to the fullest, an artist to the fullest, and a queer to the fullest.
I’ll be back next month with a full essay and some very important bookshop and artistic project updates. Stay tuned! x - O
Loved the ending quote and really enjoyed this check-in <3