We speak with internationally acclaimed, gender non-conforming writer, performer, and public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon, whose work speaks to themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. . At her funeral I had to dress as the man she wanted me to be. I think theres a reason when I research in my own work the long legacy of gender variant people across the world and many cultures, that we were associated, so often, with medicine people or healers or divine leaders, because we understood that in so many ways, we were preparing the body to receive higher wisdom. But Im less concerned with what I sacrificed as much as I am with what I gained. And I began to use color to communicate, theres something else going on here. Music for Awaken was created by Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear, Tendinite and Siddhartha Corthus. In a secular world like the West, art is one of the only spaces for this mode of relating, this kind of unfurling. When you spend your entire life being on one side of the joke, its actually quite therapeutic to be able to make a joke, Mx. Why would you do this, if it exposed you to more harm and scrutiny? Color became language. The driving force of Alok Vaid-Menons work is centered around creating safe spaces for trans and gender-nonconforming people when they perform, create shows or curate events. Alok Vaid-Menon - Funeral 21,371 views Mar 10, 2019 1.3K Dislike Share Save Button Poetry 1.37M subscribers Join Subscribe Support Button Poetry: We tell them that they are not real. She eventually passed on without ever seeing me as myself. How do I express it? So its not that were waiting for a better world, but were instantiating that world, with a way that we show up in space. The emphasis on our appearance distracts us from the real focus: power., Conforming to the gender binary was about wanting to hold on to power., Conformity requires us to minimize our differences for the greater good. Accessing this beauty can feel impossible in a system that rewards conformity over creativity. Alok Vaid-Menon in Oxfordshire, England, on Nov. 22, 2019. Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images for The Business of Fashion Nonbinary activist Alok Vaid-Menon broke down the history of and problems with the gender binary and how people can fight against it in video that has gone viral on social media. It was one and the same. Its the inability to see that vibrancy, diversity, instability, collapse, rupture, serendipity are the natural orientations of being alive. As a mixed-media artist ALOK uses poetry, comedy, lecture, performance, fashion design, and visual art to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging, and the human condition. Support Button Poetry: http://bit.ly/buttonpatreonSubscribe to Button! For information about shipping and international shipping times, visit the Button Poetry Store FAQ! What kind of joy do I want to cultivate? Join for an evening of poetry, stand-up comedy, drag, and more as they take their audience on an emotional roller coaster all the way from the personal to the political. LAURIE ANDERSON: Welcome to AWAKEN, a podcast presented by the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. Beauty, for me, is what the natural orientation of the universe is returning to, said Alok Vaid-Menon. Atlanta-based company Mailchimp calls Aloks talk required viewing for the world and Cornell University uplifts Aloks presentation as truly life-saving work.. Alok Vaid-Menon is a queer South Asian artist and activist invested in building connections between queer and anti This site uses cookies. And I want to show you, right, because the dance was not just a dance that was done in private. Advertisement Coins. But for me, beauty is what we feel like. In the author's words it "is a dream of what it could look like to celebrate transfemininity in public both in ourselves and for the people who desire us (by which I mean: everyone, across time, always)." Other factors that can affect speaker fees include the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The gender binary - the maintenance of two separate and opposite genders - is a system of power that exists to create conflict and division. Let, This #trans couple will be the first known parents, With anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans legislation on the, Because its the New Year, lets talk about ch, How to set a boundary? As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Vaid-Menon explores ideas through poetry and nonfiction, but also through fashion, virtual book clubs and live performances. And I had to basically stay at home and I started to really write. That hatred you feel when you see us having the audacity to live a life without compromise, that hatred is for yourSELF.". IE 11 is not supported. Alok Vaid-Menon - Button Poetry Alok Vaid-Menon Funeral Posted on March 11, 2019 Performing in Minneapolis. They later added that people need to have compassion before "comprehension" meaning they need to have empathy for trans people even if they don't understand them. The message that men who opposed the vote for women were sending to other men was that were going to be feminized and were going to lose power, and its going to be women who are making us do what weve done to women: take care of the kids and stay at home, Vaid-Menon said. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alok Vaid-Menon for an upcoming live or virtual event. The Museum closes at 5:00 PM on the Friday before Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve. And its just idiosyncratic and strange and utterly uncinematic. I dont need you to show up to 'protect' me," Porter wrote on Instagram. Science Says No. For so long I lived my life within society's constraints of who I was supposed to be. By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy. And thats what were seeing, unfortunately, in 2021. Beauty is about looking like yourself. The way hair grows back, scabs heal, lips kiss. Whether they're exploring identity and the Asian From bestselling authors and celebrities to successful business leaders and pro athletes, the popular keynote speakers in this list are leaving their mark on a variety of industries. I was raised Hindu, and I associated religion with organized religion, with a set of parameters and protocols and scriptures that had to be followed explicitly. I began to use color to return to my own color and to see the large swath of colors in the world and realize its not that color is the problem. And people are saying thats a threat.". We silenced our own differences, subdued our creativity, and toned down our own gender non-conformity in order to fit in. And Id rather spend my life and my career speaking about those important things. Then I convened a group of us at the end of that summer and I recited it to them. "I wish I could explain my existence as a non-binary person with this clarity," one person wrote. Alok has a vast and deep body of emotional, educational work. If it was universal and just, it would not need to be constantly proven. Vaid-Menon is self-publishing a poetry book called Your Wound/My Garden. At the beginning of my career I was really concerned with detailing the nature of the wound that I had in the world, Mx. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. But there are so many more important questions to be asked when a child is born, such as: Hows your baby doing? or How can I support you during this time? or Why is it so expensive to raise kids? Or maybe even Where can I donate to help?, Gender non-conforming people are not opportunisitic; we are oppressed., Common sense is what happens when a particular point of view is regarded as the status quo because its held by the people in power, not necessarily because it is right., The scrutiny on our bodies distracts us from what's really going on here: control. Before making any health decisions, you should consult with your doctor. And you see someone who you never thought dance, could dancean 85-year-old, just with this kind of unbridled sense of possibility in every step and gesture. And then I ask it until I can remember that the shame was not my own. "Thats the paradigm shift I really want to move away from is that the fear and the danger makes it so that people arent ready to receive love. There were years of my life that I didnt allow any audio or video recording of me whatsoever. I see interconnectivity with nature, the earth, humanity, and a deep practice of humility. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. Like that feels like the real treat of the wedding. Alok Vaid-Menon have Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Alok Vaid-Menon for both live and virtual events for over 20 years. It was a dance that I later staged at my school talent show, for better or for worse. If youre hungry to continue the conversation, join us on Instagram at @RubinMuseum. For more information about our guest and to see images of the artwork in this episode, visit AWAKEN Podcast. We do not exclusively represent Alok Vaid-Menon or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Alok Vaid-Menon or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. So who am I going to prioritize? Fill out a, Booking fees for Alok Vaid-Menon, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. And I woke up in flames. I was feeling and being. Anyone can read what you share. Like so many, this person mistook their insecurity as my own. New video daily http://bit.ly/buttonpoetryIf you loved this poem, check out Andrea Gibson: http://bit.ly/MaybeINeedYouAlok Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis.Button Facebook: http://facebook.com/buttonpoetryButton Twitter: http://twitter.com/buttonpoetryButton Instagram: http://instagram.com/buttonpoetryButton Tumblr: http://buttonpoetry.tumblr.comAbout Button:Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.We seek to showcase the power and diversity of voices in our community. "Women were basically just saying, 'We want the right to vote,' and men heard that as 'Im losing power,'" they said. And I remember speaking it and being like, whoa, this is what I, not just what I want to do for the rest of my life, but this is what I am. It felt like I didnt have a body anymore. And if youre enjoying this podcast, leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Valheim Genshin Impact Minecraft Pokimane Halo Infinite Call Vaid-Menon, who created #DeGenderFashion, said their message to cisgender men is that they don't have to be masculine or strong, and they can be vulnerable and human. Because thats the substance of life itself. So if its like, oh, Im feeling shame that theres hair on my face, I close my eyes and I breathe in to that. And I really want to say that art was that for me. And so, what I guess Im trying to cultivate in my life is the kind of courage and conviction and stamina to continue every day to ask myself, Who am I? And what does it mean to move from there? 2017 also saw ALOK being selected as the youngest recipient of the Live Works Performance Act Award, granted to ten performance artists across the world. Are you willing to go back to living someone elses lie? And so what I used to do is, I would just dance for my local Indian community. Normativity looks like a specific sneaker brand being upheld as the best. And so you default back into your self-sabotaging coping strategies, and then two months later, something falls apart and youre like, oh, Ive been meaning to address this and I never did. I admire Alok, because they work to normalize discussions of trauma, shame, and violence against trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) people of color, one poem, performance, and outfit at a time. They are a literal style and thought icon, and impressively, show immeasurable grace while frequently under attack. ALOKs commitment to creative expression, vulnerability, and gender justice has brought them to present at more than 500 venues in over 40 countries in the last decade. While youre here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, Rachel Wiley, Neil Hilborn, Phil Kaye, & our newest release from Andrea Gibson! i will soon forget. I feel like every day is an artistic and spiritual endeavor to be what is. While youre here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Phil Kaye, Andrea Gibson, & our newest release from Blythe Baird! Although I am constantly harassed for it, I am able to keep going because I know who I am. The Museum is closed on Christmas,Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. Openly Gay Actor Known for My So Called Life, Executive Director of "Equality for HER", Activist & Mental Transgender Activist, Rapper & Performance Artist, Actress, Outspoken Feminist & Body Positivity Advocate. as if this struggle is not your struggle. Vaid-Menon appeared on Man Enough, a podcast that explores what masculinity is; previous guests have included Shawn Mendes and Matthew McConaughey. Transgender Model & Advocate; Founder of Gender Proud. What feminine part of yourself did you have to destroy in order to survive in this world? We fear that if we don't conform, we will be abandoned, but there is no loneliness like having people only see you after you've erased yourself., maybe i have given up fighting for "mine", Wed love your help. We are not trying to establish a new beauty standard. We know how to do it so well to other people because we were the first testing grounds. Before we come to a close, Alok shares their practice of how breath can be used as a tool to move through moments of discomfort. "They've repressed their own femininity. not, 'Can you help me help you?'" The work of soul searching came to me through being an artist. Then you cannot tell the difference between their shame and your own between a body and an apology., Some gender non-conforming people are nonbinary, and some are men and women. And what I really appreciate about the story is it requires us to kind of move out, zone out, zoom out of just like an interpersonal interaction and see the world from a different perspective, and be like, what, from the perspective of a tree or from the wind, is this conflict? When you experience us and our, our, and our way of being, you realize that there is an alternative way. In this sculpture, the Buddhas right hand is depicted touching the ground as he calls the earth to witness his triumph over the demon Mara. . ", FollowNBC OutonTwitter,Facebook&Instagram. Basically, there was a space heater that I didnt turn off, that my mattress got embroiled with. WebBrowse 332 alok_vaid menon stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Let us know whats wrong with this preview of. They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries. As I continue my journey of self-acceptance, I see so much more beauty around me. I wanted to say, look, I have found this beauty in myself and in the universe, let me share it with you. Look around: there are no princesses. All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Alok Vaid-Menon for clients worldwide for more than 20 years. The poem is no longer just a thing that Im writing, but actually the way that Im living, how I walk down the street, what I see, what I notice, how I speak to other people, how I treat and think of other people, how I engage with one another. Because the thing is, you have revelations about yourself, but youre not ready yet to live those revelations. That is the poetic work. School, Vaid-Menon explained to me, was difficult, and they needed an outlet. But I think once I started to experience the delight of freedom, there was no going back. Vaid-Menon's response, which broke down how Heath could actually better support trans people, has gone viral. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events, Provide you with the speaking fee to book Alok Vaid-Menon or other celebrity appearance fees, Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities, Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process, First Transgender Man to Make Team USA, Transgender Advocate, Triathlete & All-American Duathlete, Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises & Actress in the FX Drama "Pose", Attorney, Author & LGBTQ Rights Activist; Motivational Disability Speaker; Founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition, CNN & ESPN Columnist; Celebrated Voice on Sports, Race & Gay Rights, Openly Gay Actor Known for My So Called Life, Thirteen Reasons Why & Star Trek: Discovery, Executive Director of "Equality for HER", Activist & Mental Health Advocate, Transgender & Gender-Nonconforming Activist; Executive Editor of "Out" & Former National Organizer for Transgender Law Center, Transgender Activist; National Face of Transgender Student Rights, Peloton Instructor & Makeup Artist; Founder of SPEAK Instagram Live Series, Tony Award-Winning Actor; Best Known NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" & "Mr. How are you supposed to be believed about the harm that you experience when people don't even believe that you exist? Claim to Fame: Mx. No need to encapsulate my universes into frameworks of gender. We will send you a reminder message with your password. Vaid-Menon said. Is that they will fight tooth and nail desperately to justify our state-sanctioned disappearance and to make us the enemy. AAE Named to Inc. Best Workplaces in 2022. Whether ALOK is selling out an international performance tour, publishing essays and books advo-cating for LGBTQ equality or speaking at some of the most prestigious universities outlining a 21st century approach to gender rights their distinctive mix of charisma, poetry, and intellect has made them one of the most dynamic artists of our times. I would tell everyone, Im going to grow up and Im going to be a dancer. The reason you don't fight for me is because you're not fighting for yourself fully. Well hear from authors, artists, wisdom bearers, and Buddhist teachers, people who have experienced a shift in their perspectives on life throughout their personal journey. ", "I dont need your help. Wayfarer Studios LLC. They are the author of "Femme in Public" (2017) and "Beyond the Gender Binary" (2020). your salt rubbed on our wounds. Dont miss this powerful poem from Alok Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis, MN. The live and virtual event speaking fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. And that cant coexist with a project that is more about control than creative self-exploration. And I think that I still practice that commitment for better or for worse. All Rights Reserved. I was dematerialized and less concerned with form than I was with flow. Mara is often described as representing the inner forces of illusion and ignorance. Alok Vaid-Menon is one member of the transgender South Asian performance duo known as DarkMatter. ", Billy Porter, who stars in "Pose," wrote that he "felt this on SO many levels. Welcome back. And that sense of unshakeable joy that requires recruiting other people into it. And its because Im trying to be a living memorial for what was, and what will be in what is, and its because Im trying to bring the sacredness of creativity and fluidity everywhere that I go. i want to text the boy above ground waiting for me, ask:have you ever been to a funeral with complete strangers?but instead i look at the woman next to me, the onewho told a dead man to die more considerately andi remember that to live in america is to attenda funeral with complete strangers: how many ghosts does it take for a cemetery to call itself a country? It depends on each persons experience. Awaken is produced by the Rubin Museum of Art in collaboration with Sound Made Public. These inspiring keynote Coming from many different backgrounds, these men and women are popular entertainers, athletes, models, and more. In one memorable moment, Mx. 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