Based in Greater Philadelphia, USA

Introducing
Seven Minutes in Heaven,
GO mag’s meeting series that users a new queer girl each day, by inquiring all of them seven special (and often haphazard) questions. Get acquainted with the thoughts, emotions, and opinions on the groundbreaking, intense forces-of-nature when you look at the queer neighborhood.

Whenever I very first saw the images from Ebony Queer Goddess Project, I happened to be therefore moved. These stunning shots show exactly how empowered our queer area is actually — and it also shows how essential QTPOC aesthetic representation is. Tina Colleen is the imaginative Director behind the project, and she additionally was actually a model for all the shoot. Colleen had a vision with this shoot, which she talks of as part of her healing process, and professional photographer Amanda Clare assisted their reify it.

Get acquainted with Colleen below within Seven Minutes in paradise.

GO: Who are both you and what sort of fuel will you like putting in the planet?

Tina Colleen:


I am Tina Colleen. I am a writer, poet, activist, and I work with advanced schooling. I am a black plus-size queer cis-female and the Creative Director regarding the



Ebony Queer Goddess Venture: The Plus-Size Femme



.

The power I really like placing away into the globe is actually truth and positivity. It’s so critical for individuals walk in their unique fact. We will need to carry out the work internally to comprehend our very own truths. That’s what I did because of this photo series. The project was actually a direct result shame that You will find always felt. The pity of my personal plus-size human body, the pity of however getting single in my own thirties, the pity of not experiencing attractive or incorporated. I made the decision to utilize the negativity I became feeling and channel it into some thing good.

GO: what’s the driving force behind your photography?

TC:


If only I was a photographer! Im usually the Director and/or Producer of my personal tasks. With this photo collection, I created the entire vision and introduced every person together. Amanda Clare (IG: @thedivulgeproject) ended up being the professional photographer and delivered my principle alive.

The driving force behind my projects will be the search to healing myself personally. I produced this photograph sets to carry on down the way to adoring my self, as I am, in our minute.

My personal next task will be the



“We Determine as Myself” Venture.



It should be a documentary and photo series celebrating queer-trans individuals of tone (QTPOC) that identify as androgynous women, genderqueer and agender men and women. They are the women/people I usually date. Their internal and external battles have actually influenced us to progress into which Im nowadays. In addition, i am really passionate about advocating for those. The fluidity and levels of the women/people are very vital and should be admired. My personal enthusiasm and love for all of them in addition pushes me personally with this brand-new undertaking.

GO: Where do you opt for determination when you’re feeling frustrated or exhausted?

TC:


Whenever I believe depleted or disheartened I just be sure to go to a hot pilates course, re-read publications from one of my personal favorite authors Pema Chödrön, and/or view Netflix with a glass of wine.

Sometimes simply doing nothing and hanging out with myself can help a great deal to re-charge my inspiration. Self-care is



very



vital that you me personally. I can not provide the globe with really love and kindness easily cannot initially provide it with to myself. I am an extroverted-introvert; i am personal, but I wanted alone time. We take to my personal hardest to blow time with me at least one time weekly to disconnect far from creative work and my full time task, to avoid feeling this way.

GO: just why is it crucial that you have photos where Black queer folx can easily see on their own symbolized?

TC:


Representation is exactly how individuals determine normalization. When we never see our selves after that we feel as if one thing is wrong with us or we have been unimportant. Everyone should feel like they truly are acknowledged. Whenever I have a look at images of men and women during the LGBTQ+ I rarely see representation of me. While I did see representation, it wasn’t always healthy; either we have been fetishized and/or portrayed since “best pal.” We are seldom symbolized as desirable enough to end up being commitment product.

Such as couples within the photo collection ended up being intentional to show black colored plus-size queer females as desirable and sensuous without motivating fetishism. Furthermore,


Lovia Delva whom identifies as androgynous and Tatiana Cruz who identifies as no-label are thinner than their own lovers; that representation has also been planned. I wanted to challenge individuals way of thinking, demonstrate to them that plus-size QWOC tends to be desired by thinner females and that this kind of few seems breathtaking with each other!

I’ve had most women of events get in touch with give thanks to myself for generating the picture show. One woman explained after she watched the picture sets she ordered herself intimate apparel, took a selfie and posted it on Instagram. She informed me it received many “likes” she ever before obtained on the page. That’s the reason representation is really so vital, strong, and seriously required. It allows people to reside in their truths and also to feel they belong.

GO: What does femme suggest for you?

TC:


While I consider the phrase “femme,” it simply ensures that we found me in a societal feminine fashion. I really do not relate the word “femme” to usually getting feminine and I also believe that is what confuses people.

Community really wants to place everybody in a package with a label therefore we are told we should perhaps not deviate from that box/label. This is certainly especially related for QTPOC. We have been negatively influenced by Eurocentric notions because individuals of color are born outside these requirements. Regrettably, oftentimes, QTPOC experience the unconscious want to meet these standards feeling part of community, but at the expense of who they really are altogether. This is why, gender/gender roles became this type of a taboo conversation for QTPOC.

GO: who’re the queer role versions?

TC:


Monick Monell with



TUV Mag



, Rejected culture clothing and different LGBTQ+ organizations. We respect Monick because this woman is a very sort and offering person. She’s constantly researching to help QTPOC achieve their own goals. Also, Monick largely works together with LGBTQ+ elderly. Older people tend to be forgotten about, knowing the good work Monick really does each day, gives myself much hope for humanity.

My second queer part model is
Shannon Matesky, the creator of Queer Abstract
. Shannon is such an energy of nature! Shannon got it upon herself generate representation and a platform for music artists that are QTPOC. She makes sure it occurs every third tuesday regarding the month, in the event she actually is not in nyc. This system allows artists the opportunity to end up being which they truly are in a secure area, in which they’re enjoyed and cherished. Shannon usually offers the lady struggles; that nerve has also motivated me to be much more hands-on in generating work that commemorates QTPOC.

These two effective ladies took the opportunity on myself once they realized nothing about myself, and lent a helping hand without seeking everything reciprocally. Without their assistance, the photograph series might not have happened.

GO: Where can men and women get a hold of you?

TC:


Folks can achieve myself on Instagram @tinac_productions, on myspace “Fat dark Queer Femme” or e-mail me at


TinaColleen18@gmail.com


.

Sizes | Partners




Tina Colleen (@tinac_productions) and Lovia Delva (@nomadkreyol1)



Tatiana Cruz (@_twinns_hotmami_) and Victoria Saint-Lôt (her_twinnytwinntwinn)



Romaine Kelly (@rkellz89) and Oskar Sinclair (@dammit_oskar)

Photographer:



Amanda Clare (@thedivulgeproject)




MUA:



Iventt Gonzalez (@iventtglam)




Hairstylist:



Helene Marie (@helene.marie)




Headwraps:



Cee Cee’s Closet (@ceeceesclosetnyc)




Earrings:



And And Ny (@andandnyc)