Twenty seven-year-old Albuquerque native Olivia Gatwood is a queer-identifying poet, activist and educator who focuses on sexual assault prevention and recovery. Her debut book of poetry New American Best Friend was published in 2017 by Button Poetry, an independent publisher of performance poetry. Gatwood’s rise in the literary world can be traced back to the…
Tag: culture
VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES SUIT FOR RATIFICATION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT
The final three states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, Nevada, Illinois and Virginia (which ratified January 15, 2020) filed suit against U.S. Archivist David Ferriero on January 30th demanding he certify the ratification of the amendment. Under Article V of the Constitution, it takes three quarters of the country – 38 states – to…
EXHIBIT ON THE LEGENDARY STUDIO 54 TO HIT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM NEXT SPRING
Mark your calendars! The Brooklyn Museum has an exciting exhibit coming up in March 2020 that is certain to draw a crowd as huge as the legendary night club on display. The subject is the iconic Studio 54, which opened in 1977 and quickly became a staple of New York City nightlife. People from all…
HOW TO TRAVEL THE WORLD BY YOURSELF
Going solo? Good for you. Traveling cross-country or overseas alone can seem very daunting, but time and time again it’s been described as a must-have experience by anyone who has done it. Taking in new surroundings unfiltered by the judgments, tastes or preferences of others gives you the chance to fully indulge yourself and have…
COLLISION/COALITION AT THE SHED
Collision/Coalition On view: June 19-August 25, 2019 The Bloomberg Building 545 West 30th Street, New York, NY The Shed, a cultural arts center located in Hudson Yards will be presenting their summer curatorial, COLLISION/COALITION. Taking place from June 19th to August 25th at The Bloomberg Building, Collision/Coalition displays a connection between three commissions that all…
AN INCREASE OF HATE IN AMERICA: CHARLOTTESVILLE + BEYOND
This past weekend erupted into ciaos in Charlottesville, Virginia when counter-protesting created conflict that has left one protester dead, two state troopers dead due to a helicopter crash, and more than 30 people injured. This weekend has started a conflict not only in Charlottesville, but nationwide with those questioning the President and his connection to…
JIM CARREY, GEORGE W. BUSH, AND MORE UNEXPECTED ARTISTS
Some people have hidden talents or hobbies, like being able to tap dance, knit, do magic tricks, or paint. With the right tools and dedication, anyone has the ability to be an artist. The following people have already made established careers in politics, music, or acting, but they have found a passion for art. Jim…
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE: DO’S + DON’T’S
Everyone is buzzing about the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States in 99 years. Why wouldn't you be excited? The moon is going to perfectly align with the sun and create a night sky in the middle of the day - you can literally see stars and planets once it is a…
NYC PROTESTS THIS WEEK: FROM TRANSGENDER RIGHTS TO FAIR TRADE
2017 has been marked by massive protests, such as the Woman's March and the March For Science. Thousands lined the streets with clever and insightful signs, but importantly they had a purpose to their presence - to be heard in order to make change. There have been an abundance of protests since President Trump took office in…
REPORTER IN HIDING AFTER BREAKING NEWS OF GAY DEATH CAMPS IN CHECHNYA
Yesterday, April 26, Elena Milashina, the Russian journalist who first revealed Chechnya’s systematic torture of gay men in the publication Novaya Gazeta, went into hiding following death threats. It is believed that the threats were partly motivated by a widely publicized sermon in which 15,000 people were present at a Chechen mosque where Muslim clerics called…
TWENTY SEVEN YEARS LATER: THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENCE CONTINUES
#NeverBlameTheVictim is the campaign targeted towards ending violence against women, and reflecting upon it's lasting impacts. This campaign was run by YWCA Canada, recently concluding on December 6th, the 27 year anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. This day claimed the lives of 14 women in a college shooting by Marc Lépine, who went on his rampage…
JACKIE FILM GAINS ACCOLADES FOR ITS DEPICTION OF THE FIRST LADY
Jackie, released in select films this past weekend, has caught the media's attention for its stylistic spin on a true story surrounding the enigma that has been Jackie Onassis Kennedy, written off by many as merely an interesting figure for a fashion plate or coffee book table. Not to be rash, the film did do an…
SOCIAL MEDIA AND POLITICIANS RALLY TO ENCOURAGE VOTER TURNOUT
It has become tiresome to think, write, or complain about the upcoming election, but, it is tomorrow. For many, a fatigue or surge of apathy isn’t an option. Politicians, celebrities, and every last social media and news outlet are begging: please vote. In recent statements and speeches, President Barack Obama has targeted different demographics with the underlying…
THE STAND WITH STANDING ROCK MOVEMENT CONTINUES WITH BENEFIT CONCERT
Dave Matthews, as well as other musicians to be announced, will be supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in its opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline with a benefit concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, November 27th. On the issue of the pipeline as a whole, Dave Matthews said: "How can we…
KID CUDI’S DEPRESSION ANNOUNCEMENT JUST CHANGED EVERYTHING
On Tuesday, October 5th, rapper Kid Cudi took to Facebook to inform his fans that he is checking into a rehabilitation facility for his struggles with "depression and suicidal urges." This admission came as a surprise to many; Cudi has always given off the impression of a very happy-go-lucky guy despite his sometimes ominous lyrics.…
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TO PRODUCE PILGRIMAGE MUSIC AND CULTURE FESTIVAL IN TN
Actor and musician Justin Timberlake has agreed to sign on as a partner and producer for the Pilgrimage Music and Culture festival, right in his home state of Tennessee. The two day event takes place in Franklin, TN, at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm on September 24th and 25th. The festival will feature such acts…
2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
This week the Olympic torch will be lit at the Opening Ceremonies, signifying the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While the official start of the Games is August 5th, some sports will begin on August 3rd, and they will conclude on August 21st with the Closing Ceremonies. This year, 206 countries…
MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER FOR “HANDS” – A TRIBUTE TO ORLANDO
It's impossible not to get chills as you listen to the stunning voices of multiple musicians coming together in support of the victims and families of the Orlando Massacre in the new original single, "Hands." The aftershock of the horror that occurred at Pulse Nightclub on June 12th is being felt around the world, but people are…
CHELSEA HANDLER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER ABORTIONS
Abortion: one word that brings about more controversy than any other. With so many Americans standing on either side of the fence surrounding the topic of abortion, it should come as no surprise that when Chelsea Handler admitted to having two abortions as a teen, the internet was in an all-out frenzy. Every article, including…
BUSINESSES + CELEBRITIES PLEDGE TO CLOSE THE WAGE GAP
The fight for equal rights has been an ongoing challenge for women that, in recent years, has finally been thrust into the limelight with the addition of many noteworthy supporters. Where "feminism" used to be seen as a sort of "dirty word," it is now part of common language. Many celebrities turned activists, such as Patricia Arquette, Meryl…