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We Want the Airwaves

Nia King's trying to figure out if it's possible for queer and trans artists of color to make a living off their creative and intellectual labor. In this podcast, she seeks advice from cultural workers who seem to have figured out how to make art and make rent without compromising their values. Find more episodes at niaking.com. Logo by Joamette Gil. (Photo of Nia interviewing Gabby Rivera by Tecpatl DeSequoia.)

May 10, 2020

Black Boricua TaĆ­no queer and trans artist Ignacio Rivera is a poet, performer and activist working to end child sexual abuse, or CSA. They are also a grandparent. In this interview, featuring their baby grandson, Ignacio discusses growing up in Brooklyn, becoming politicized in Massachusetts, and the connections...


Apr 19, 2020

Bisexual Latina writer, comics artist and musician Suzy X has gone from making zines to drawing comics for Rookie Mag to writing for MTV Iggy (RIP) to being the Latin music editor at Rolling Stone in the short time (approx. 7 years) I've known her, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this success. In this...


Mar 9, 2020

Queer Indian-American author Rahul Mehta discusses his award-winning collection of short stories, Quarantine; growing up Asian in Appalachia; and how LGBTQ audiences in India have received his work. We also try to sort out why he's so drawn to unlikeable protagonists. Photo by Matthew Hamilton.

Read the transcript at


Feb 3, 2020

Alex Smith is a queer, Black sci-fi writer, musician and visual artist. In this interview, we discuss his collection of short stories, ARKDUST, as well as his many influences, ranging from Public Enemy to Nirvana and Marvel Comics to the Black Panther Party. Photo by Shane Jenkins.

Read the transcript at


Dec 16, 2019

BL Shirelle of Die Jim Crow Records discusses the challenges of recording and releasing music by incarcerated artists. She also shares stories of dealing drugs, doing time and raising kids with her wife. (Photo by Verse.)

Support the podcast at patreon.com/artactivistnia.

Transcript coming...