ProjectS
zine: Etymology of Black Lesbian Gender
Etymology of Black Lesbian Gender is a 12-page zine created by KyKy Archives co-founder Siddisse Negero. It explores the history and evolution of Lesbian gendered language and terminology, with an emphasis on the histories of Black Lesbian Genders specifically. Using archival material in the form of photos, quotes, and collage, as well as original prose — it considers how intra-communal language takes shape over time, and how these shifts in language can give us a more nuanced perspective on how we collectively create, cement, and define ourselves.
this zine is fully risograph printed, and self-published in Philadelphia PA by Siddisse
STOCKEd @
The COMMON PRESS BOOKSHOP, LONDON • uLISES books, pHILLY • tHE sALT eATERS, LOS ANGELES • YES PLEASE BOOKS, ATLANTA • L’Euguélionne feminist bookstore, MONTREAL
KYKY ARCHIVES X ‘AND INTO THE STREETS’ PHILADELPHIA MURAL ARTS ePHEMERA COLLABORATIOn
Free double-sided digital downloads:
These special edition posters were designed by KyKy Archives co-founder Siddisse Negero, as a part of Rami George and Philadelphia Mural Arts ‘AND INTO THE STREETS’ art installation, June 28th, 2023 at Louis Kahn Park in Philadelphia, PA. These 12x18” double-sided print editions of 250 each were distributed for free at the park as a part of the opening reception; and are available for free digital download and limited digital sale!
The designs were inspired by the Black queer and trans histories, communities, and creations of Philadelphia, PA; all images and material were sourced from the John J. Wilcox Jr. LGBT Archives at William Way LGBT Center in Philadelphia, PA; text on the top of design two is written by Siddisse.
Design 1:
An original unpublished manuscript by Anita Cornwell titled "TO A YOUNG BLACK LESBIAN: SURVIVAL IS THE BEST REVENGE" sourced from the Anita Cornwell Papers at the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives. Anita Cornwell (b. 1923) was a black lesbian feminist author. In 1983, she wrote the first collection of essays by an African-American lesbian, Black Lesbian in White America. Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Anita moved to Philadelphia with her mother at the age of sixteen, graduated from Temple University, and spent the majority of her life in Philadelphia; Anita passed at the age of 99 in 2023.
Design 2:
The photographs on this poster are sourced from COLOURS Magazine, a Philadelphia-based Black LGBT Magazine; "4 the Womyn" 1997 issue, and "Anniversary Issue" 1996, respectively; sourced from the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives. COLOURS began as a Black LGBT Magazine in 1991, and has since transitioned into an advocacy and support organization that serves LGBTQ BIPOC populations in Philadelphia.
bLACK eNVISIONING
A Black queer ZIne-making and Portaiture workshop
This workshop mixed the art of zine-making, collage, and portraiture using copies of Black Queer archival material sourced from with the John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives and polaroid film portraits to use within the zines. Participants left with their own creative piece of work that remembered to place themselves within it. We are living history and our existence is always in conversation with the past. This practice is meant to inspire self-documentation and intentional memory keeping in a fun, creative way that not only brings the archive to life, but keeps us in conversation with history. The last 30 minutes included an opt-in tour of the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives led by archive director John Anderies.
Facilitated by Siddisse Negero, cofounder of KyKy Archives and Doriana Diaz
Photography by Mario and Drew of Homies Helping Homies
Date: August 19th, 12 - 2:30pm / Location: William Way Community Center :1315 Spruce Street.
This event was made possible in collaboration with Rosine 2.0