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Courtesy Kevin Aviance
Kevin Aviance personal essay resilience authenticity black queer community
Courtesy Kevin Aviance
Voices

My unapologetic journey on embracing resilience and authenticity

Kevin Aviance's life story unfolds as a vibrant symphony of resilience and artistry, deeply resonating within the black queer community and leaving an indelible mark on society's cultural tapestry.

Growing up in a bustling household set the stage for my life's symphony—a blend of chaos, harmony, and relentless drive. My journey wasn't paved with formal training but molded by the gritty, vibrant streets of New York City. The hustle, the grind, and the raw exposure to life's unfiltered essence became my alma mater, crafting a performer unafraid to bear his soul on stage.

Art for me was never just an expression; it was a lifeline, a mirror reflecting the multifaceted experiences of my life. Each performance and note carried the weight of my trials, triumphs, and the unspoken stories of those who shared my path. Little did I know this would resonate deeply within the black queer community. My art became a beacon, a testament to the power of visibility and empowerment in a world that often sought to dim our light.

Kevin Aviance personal essay resilience authenticity black queer communityCourtesy Kevin Aviance

The House of Aviance, my chosen family, became a sanctuary for me and many others—doctors, lawyers, and artists, all thriving under the banner of our collective identity. We were a testament to the enduring spirit of the ballroom culture, a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of resilience, creativity, and unapologetic authenticity. This culture, our culture, has seeped into the mainstream, leaving indelible marks on music, fashion, and the very fabric of society. Icons like Madonna and Beyoncé may have brought it to the global forefront. Still, the unyielding spirit of the ballroom dynasties held it aloft, demanding recognition and respect for its artistry and people.

Challenges from external forces and my own missteps have punctuated my life's narrative. Yet, each morning brings a renewal, a silent pact to embrace the day's potential, rise above the fray, and continue the march forward. This resilience, born of adversity, has become the cornerstone of my message to the community—a clarion call to embrace each day as a gift, persevere with grace, and always move forward.

Kevin Aviance personal essay resilience authenticity black queer communityCourtesy Kevin Aviance

The landscape for black queer artists has transformed dramatically over the decades. From the fringes, we have moved to the forefront, not just participating but leading conversations, shaping culture, and redefining norms. The respect and recognition that eluded us for so long are now within grasp, propelling us towards greater heights, towards a future where our voices are not just heard but revered. Seeing children like Honey Balenciaga hold the GLBOAL stage in their awe, beauty, and talent is so inspiring.

My music, my art, is a mosaic of my life's experiences, a celebration of liberation, identity, and the unyielding quest for self-expression. It is a dialogue with my audience, an invitation to explore the depths of their own stories, to find solace and strength, and perhaps a reflection of their journeys within my melodies.

Kevin Aviance personal essay resilience authenticity black queer communityCourtesy Kevin Aviance

The recognition of my work by artists of the caliber of Beyoncé has been a surreal chapter in my story. To see my voice, my essence, woven into the tapestry of her art was a validation of my journey. But also a sign that Black queer stories - our stories, our struggles, and our triumphs - resonate far beyond the confines of our immediate surroundings. It is a testament to the universality of our experiences, a bridge connecting disparate worlds through the power of art.

To the queer artists of color who stand on the precipice of their journeys, I say this: Embrace your truth, your identity, and your artistry with unwavering conviction.

The road may be fraught with challenges, but it is yours to claim. Let your art be a beacon, a force of change, and a source of inspiration. In the tapestry of life, let your thread shine with the vibrant hues of your unique story, for in the end, your authenticity will leave an indelible mark on the world.

Kevin Avianceis a musician, drag artist, and nightlife personality based in New York City, with a renown career expanding across nearly four decades. Like and follow Kevin Aviance on social at @kevinavianceofficial.

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Kevin Aviance

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Sequoia Emmanuelle Photography; Courtesy Wiley Publishing
Dr Jonathan Paul Higgins and their book Black Fat Femme
Sequoia Emmanuelle Photography; Courtesy Wiley Publishing

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @lovabletransauntie.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman, she tirelessly champions voices from the LGBTQ+ community, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each story with a dynamic and innovative perspective. Like and follow her on social: @lovabletransauntie.

Voices

This author is audacious, unapologetic, and ready to take up space

From academia to social media, Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins is a testament to visibility and self-love.

If you’re not following Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins, you’re missing out on one of the sharpest, wittiest, and most unapologetically Black, queer, and femme voices in media today. A self-described “reformed educator” turned community leader, podcaster, and author, Dr. Higgins has made it their mission to uplift the voices that mainstream culture often ignores. But don’t mistake their work for a never-ending sermon on oppression: Jonathan is here to crack jokes, spill tea, and remind us all that Black queer joy is just as revolutionary as resistance.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Higgins for an interview that was less of a Q&A and more of a fabulous kiki about the realities of navigating an industry—hell, a society—that often doesn’t know what to do with Black, fat, femme, nonbinary people who refuse to shrink themselves. If there’s one thing Dr. Jon has made clear, it’s this: they’re not asking for permission and are certainly not dimming their light.

Dr. Higgins’ journey into media didn’t start with a viral tweet or an internet-breaking take. Instead, they spent over a decade in academia, researching and advocating for LGBTQ+ students, only to find that the ivory tower had firmly pulled up their drawbridge.

“I knew that if I was really going to make an impact, I had to leave academia,” they told me. “There was too much gatekeeping happening while I was there.”

And so, in 2017, they left higher education, stepped into the unknown, and decided to start telling the stories that universities and mainstream media weren’t interested in. It was the birth of Dr. Jon Paul as we know them: a writer, media critic, and cultural commentator who speaks truth to power.

Dr Jonathan Paul Higgins author Black Fat FemmeDr. Jonathan Paul Higgins: a writer, media critic, and cultural commentator who speaks truth to power.Sequoia Emmanuelle Photography

It wouldn’t be a proper queer origin story without a little bit of drama and a social media spat. In the early days of their media career, Dr. Higgins found themselves in an online back-and-forth with none other than Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. The debate? The lack of representation for Black queer stories in Hollywood.

“In so many words, he basically said, ‘If you want to see stuff that looks like you, you have to be the person to create it,” they recalled. “And while I hate that statement, there’s an element of truth in it. Because the industry is not doing what it should be doing to make sure they elevate us.” So Dr. Jon Paul took the begrudging advice and ran with it. They launched their podcast, Black Fat Femme, creating content that celebrated Black queer brilliance.

Ever wondered why certain people seem to get a fast pass in the entertainment industry while others have to kick down doors? Dr. Higgins has an answer for you: desirability politics.

“If you’re not desirable in this industry, a lot of people don’t want to have anything to do with you,” they said bluntly. “Me presenting as a Black, fat, femme, nonbinary person…that’s not ‘desirable’ to a lot of people [in the industry]. Because femininity, when it’s attached to queerness and Blackness, is not deemed sexy.”

And yet, despite not fitting into the industry’s narrow mold of who “deserves’ visibility, Dr. Jon Paul has built an undeniable career. From securing major media deals to having their book land with a major publisher, they’ve proven that Black queer voices—and presence—are necessary.

Dr. Higgins knows that visibility is a double-edged sword. While they relish the opportunity to be their full, audacious self in public, Jon Paul is also aware of the pressure and exhaustion of being in the public eye.

Dr Jonathan Paul Higgins author Black Fat FemmeDr. Jonathan Paul Higgins on bringing their most authentic self in media. Sequoia Emmanuelle Photography

“I don’t think André Leon Talley set out to be my inspiration model,” they mused. “I think he was just trying to work and live authentically. And now, years later, I’m looking at him and realizing how much his presence meant to me.” Such was the case when a Black queer family approached them at The Grove in LA. Full of admiration, the mother told them how their podcast helped build a connection between her and her nonbinary child. In that moment, all the battles with the industry, all the times of rejection at a personal and professional level, melted away. Because they’re doing, Higgins asserted, isn’t about industry accolades but real people, families—and real change.

With Black Fat Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in Media and How to Love Yourself hitting the shelves next month and their podcast continuing to thrive, Dr. Jon Paul is showing no signs of slowing down. The focus is not just on their own success but actively uplifting others, making sure that more Black queer voices get the recognition they deserve.

“They may not see it for your right now but, honey, one day they will.”

And trust me, the world is catching on.

You can preorder Black Fat Femme directly on their website, from the publisher, or on Amazon, and follow Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins on social media for more insights, laughs, and unapologetically Black queer brilliance.

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