The Queer Black Italian Experience

In this chapter of MBQMQB, we zoom in on Italian society as we explore the realities of being Black and Queer while growing up and/or living in a highly Eurocentric, heteronormative social landscape. With a small sample of individuals from across the country, we use mediums of photography and autobiographical narratives to frame each experience as blossoming oases of innovation and light in a progressively parched desert. Each of which are inherently linked to form a black queerhood. This project signifies the building of this framework, the joining of hands and collective sharing of experiences with the aim of highlighting the beauty of the Black Queer Italian Experience while also voicing the racism, queerphobia, homophobia and transphobia that so often comes with it.

As an extension of this series, we’ve created a zine that includes the original images and text created for this project which are paired with artworks created by artists Weel Lee and OptimalAlchemy. The artwork takes the form of images reinterpreted through colourful collages that capture the essence of each person’s character through a visual story of layers and colours. With the launch of this zine, we introduced a crowdfunding campaign created in collaboration with Progetto IO — a Milanese group whose objectives lie within uplifting the LGBTQ+ Migrant community in Italy — to contribute to the creation of the documentary “Siamo qui”  on the activities of the group.