Diversity Rules Magazine

5 Diversity Rules Magazine July 2017 JRK: You have said the outfits were originally meant to be jogging suits. Can you tell us about that and how the transition occurred from that to what they have become? C: We were originally going to make a Valore pastel jogging suits but then realized we couldn't find ribbing in the same colors. I was really stressed out about it due to the time restraint, so I did what I always do and I took a nap. When I woke up the first thing that came to my mind was let's just do a lace summer look. JRK: e lacey shorts are not your first foray into the fashion world. You also debuted "Ice Cream Truck" underwear. Can you tell us about that phe- nomenon? C: Ice Cream Truck underwear was a collaboration I did with Geoffrey Mac. We sold out really quick. ose underwear were super dope and stuck with the theme. e insides of the elastic even had a waffle cone print. JRK: You have said you noticed a "femme move- ment" brewing on social media a few years ago. Can you tell us what you mean by that? C: I was just saying that I've noticed on social media over the past few years that gay men don't feel they have to be so ambiguous about their Femme side. Gay men seem less concerned with how they are classified by other gay men and it's refreshing. JRK: You have been quoted as saying, "At the end of last year, I vowed to be as gay as possible with my music and videos. We have to be more visible than ever and I hope I inspire that." It is an admirable goal, and how do we get queer folks to embrace your philosophy more intimately? C: I think what has pushed me is a sense of urgency due to the political climate. Everything coming out of the White House is hyper conservative. We need to fight to be visible or we could easily get our rights and our feelings of safety taken away from us. JRK: What advice would you give to those experi- menting with their "femme" side and to those who have not considered empowering that part of their essence? C: Just do what you feel and don't put too muc thought into what people on the sidewalk are going to think about you when you put on that new flashy outfit. JRK: Why do you think many men fear expressing their femme side? C: Because Femme has always been synonymous with being weak. But my hat is off to any man than leaves the house in heals. at takes real strength... not to mention coordination skills lol. JRK: Do you have any parting thoughts you would like to leave Diversity Rules readers? C: YES. Support your trans brothers and sisters to the fullest extent. We fought for the right to marry. We got it. Now our focus has to be about having the backs of the trans community. e gay movement would be no where if it wasn't for trans women and we mustn't for- get that.

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