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Empowered, Invested & Committed to Reproductive Justice
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BoiTalk is a new initiative of SisterReach that centers the often overlooked needs of masculine presenting women of color around their reproductive health and wellness.
BoiTalk offers an
exclusive and safe space community centering the experiences of masculine presenting women when discussing relevant topics like reproductive health, dating violence, and
building positive relationships within and without LGBTQ-centered spaces.
We'll learn from each other, and with each other. We accept each other as we are, where we are.
This is BoiTalk. Support this work by sharing with individuals you think need this type of affirming environment.
This new initiative is led by Natalio CasaNueva, our Communications Adminsitrator. Learn more below about Natalio's journey below and join the BoiTalk
mailing list
to receive our Monthly Newsletter on upcoming events and information.
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My Personal Journey to BoiTalk...
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My name is Natalio. I’m from a small town in Northeast Texas. I grew up in a single parent home and my roots are buried in the church. If we were poor, my mother did a great job of making poor seem awesome. I did not know anything about LGBTQ advocacy or labels, but I was fully engaged in observing my environment. The “funny” acting “uncles” I had, were estranged, and no one ever wanted their children around them. It wasn’t until I was older that I learned he was “gay”. I also noticed the way people treated those in that gay category.
As I got older, I realized I was going to probably be in that same category. I went through phases of my sexuality that consisted mostly of making my mother comfortable in the clothes I chose to wear. After she transitioned, I was able to step into my most comfortable way of being, which happened to be masculine presenting. At the time, I didn’t know that label, I only knew stud, butch, tomboy, and the ever popular, dyke.
Being a lesbian was always taboo, and as I traveled and lived around the US, I noticed the different ways the LGBTQ community (if you could call it that) was treated collectively. What I also noticed, was there was no supportive community of masculine presenting black women. I didn’t see any, anywhere. There may have been some, but I didn’t know anyone who was a part of them, so I didn’t know how to find them. Living in a space where nobody looked like me, or knew my challenges or victories, I longed for a community where I was the topic of interest, and there were resources to help me. Before moving to Memphis, I found that community in Atlanta, GA. However, after taking the position at SisterReach in Memphis, I realized that my environment was drastically different. Gay people don't seem to live out loud as comfortably here.
The only alternative for me was to try and help create the environment I know is necessary for my own peace and happiness. Surely there are others who long for a space to be accepted, affirmed, supported and understood. BoiTalk is our new initiative and I get a chance to be part of the change I want to see not only for me, but other women and girls who look like me
and we need YOU to be a part of making it great.
BoiTalk is where you can find valuable information and resources about your reproductive health, sexual health, community events, and build a community of masculine presenting women of color, just like you. If you are 18 and older, and want to make a difference and be connected to others like you in OUR community, sign up for our
newsletter
or
email
me right now.
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Kanithea Powell is the Artistic Director and Founder of Qwest Films Network and Festival Director for Queer Hippo Int'l LGBT Film Festival. She starter her career in Orlando, Florida as one of the founding members of the first African American theatre company in Orlando called the Orlando Black Theatre. There she directed, produced, and performed in several plays before moving to Atlanta and starting her career as a television producing films. After a stint in the new mecca she moved to Washington, D to work with the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts. There she worked closely with the students of the Literary and Drama department. Now in Texas, she has created Queer Hippo Int'l LGBT Films Festival, which kicks off every spring in Houston.
Her hard earned success has garnered a "Best Casting Director Award" for "Why the Caged Bird Sings", and a "Audience Choice Award" and "Best Screenplay" for 00:02:02 (2minutes2seconds). Some of Kanithea's creation credits include: Mind's Eye (short film), Mind Games (TV Series), Zarabi (Theatrical Ballet), Walk of Redemption (documentary), Super Heroes and Villains:The Importance of Tights (Mocumentary), Finding Juliet (Short) A Lot Like Love (TV Series), Kill Her! (Feature Film) and Butch: Never Judge a Butch By Her Cover (Coffee Table Book that is now in 23 countries). Additionally, Kanithea has completed studies at the New York Film Academy. She resides in Houston, Texas.
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Do you know someone we should spotlight for being a positive LGBT woman of color? Let us know! Email:contactus@sisterreach.org.
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Lesbian and Bisexual Health Fact Sheet
Sexual health safety among lesbian and bisexual women is a reproductive justice issue for SisterReach. Not having the right type of information could mean transmission of avoidable sexually transmitted infections (STI's) like herpes or bacterial vaginosis. Here is a great fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will help you learn some of the most common STI's, and how you can protect your reproductive health.
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Become a Sustaining Partner
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This year, SisterReach celebrates FIVE years in October of doing Reproductive Justice work in the state of Tennessee. For as little as FIVE dollars, you can become a
Sustaining Partne
r
investing in this important work to ensure that FIVE years from now, SisterReach is able to continue serving marginalized women and girls in Tennessee.
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SisterReach | 901.222.4425 | 901.222.4441| www.sisterreach.org
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