NET/TEN Shareback: King LOTUS BOY and Kymil/Xavier Knight

Apr 6

Spring 2022 Travel Grant

This collaboration between two queer, transgender and nonbinary, disabled/neurodivergent, artists of color–drag king LOTUS BOY and multidisciplinary artist Kymil Jeneé who explores their new drag king persona, Xavier Knight–fostered meaningful and evocative discourse around gender fluidity, normative gender expression, accessibility, and shared experiences with religious oppression. These conversations birthed a collaborative photo series: “The Cult of Cisheteronormativity / Religion TRANSformed,” with the goal to foster healing and empowerment for queer & trans BIPOC people who have been harmed by religion and/or spirituality. It was co-produced by: Portland-based photo collective, Perception TRANSformed; vintage clothing shop, Planet Loveship; and queer trans photographers, Mason Rose and SlugSushi. This shareback aims to provide insight into the artists’ creative and production processes, as well as give ideas and samples for administrative planning, digital organization, collaboration, and protocols for producing photo shoots/photo series.