Friday the 13th 2004: an Unlucky Day for the Closed-Minded

A bimonthly celebration of trans/genderqueer/intersex artists

Los Angeles, CA: "Trans/Giving," a bimonthly showcase and display of art, music, performance, and literature

from trans/genderqueer/intersexed artists takes place Friday, February 13, at 7:30 at the Hollywood Recovery Center at 6838 Sunset Blvd., LA CA 90028. This is the only event of its kind in Southern California, and one of the few events in the country where trans/genderqueer/intersexed artists can perform, work with each other and present opportunities to develop.

This month's show features performance artists Helen Wong, Emily Rathwaedht, and Verba S. Deo; musicians Devon Sawyer, Lauren Steely, and Sumiko Braun; photographer Krista Benson; poets Trystan, Darya, and Marcus Rene Van; cartoonist Matt Nishii; artists Jaguar Busuego, Shirley Bushnell, and Zeo/Scott; and DJ Drat. Your mistress of ceremonies is Ryka Aoki de la Cruz.

From jazz musicians to Shakespearean actors, slam poets to porn stars, what makes Trans/Giving different is its focus on trans/genderqueer/intersexed people not as activists—but as artists. With all of our struggling, with all of our protests and tears,

it is even more important that art and artists in ourcommunity be heard.

Trans/Giving believes that the strongest statement we can make as artists is simply through our art.

Depictions in the media have been incorrect at best, and at worst foster the impression that members of our

community are less than human. When we show our poetry, our wit, our music, our images...we obliterate

the caricatures, we become luminous... and maybe people will think twice before wanting to stamp us out.

This event is all ages, alcohol and drug free, but pizza, soda, and cookies inclusive. Suggested

donation is five to twenty dollars (sliding scale), but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

There will be books, zines, CDs and other stuff for sale, as well as artist walkthroughs, music, and plenty to eat.

Trans/Giving thanks BHS, BAART, and APIHR, and the FTM Alliance for supporting the TGIF community and the arts.

For more information, please email ryka aoki de la cruz at rykaryka@yahoo.com