OFM ART

For some reason, those are my favorite types of cases. I am just very drawn to it. The fact that you could have a full life and do all these things, but when you die, no one knows who you are, and nothing will come up. It is very depressing and haunting. I think everyone should die with their name, even if they were a shitty person. I do it for the family and friends because there is always someone looking for them. I sort of dived into that, then I realized that there are so many trans and gendernonconforming people that died, and no one gives them any attention. They think that this was just a cross-dresser, and they had it coming. That is when I decided that there really are not enough people who take enough time out of their day to help with these cases, and that is when I started researching about it and participating in forums. From there on, I started writing about cases and posting about them wherever I felt they were needed. Regardless of their lifestyle, we all have a name and identity. Everyone should know who you are when you die.

And these are real cases you are writing about?

They are all active cases. I comb through a bunch of news articles and forums to gather the information. Sometimes, people will message me directly and ask if I could write something or pass a case along to get it circulating. When you notice how many Black/Brown/ queer bodies are missing or unidentified and piling up, you cannot help but start writing and talking about it. If at least one person sees their name and reads about their circumstances, it keeps their names alive longer, and they cannot truly fade away. I write about any LGBTQ-potential/LGBTQ person I come across, but I like to put my focus on Black/Native American, trans, missing and unidentified people.

I can see how dealing with something dark like this can influence your art. It is an outlet to get all that negativity out.

Yes, it is great. That is why I love painting weird and fucked-up things. It is a lot of fun, and I have always been drawn to it. It comes natural to me.

Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to artists, drag performers, and musicians?

I love the Boulet Brothers, Divine; I am a sucker for John Waters. There are some alternative artists I like such as Fecal Matter, Parma Ham, and Jazmin Bean.

What more would you like to accomplish with your platform as an artist?

I want to continue using my skills for community work and encourage other Black, queer artists. Making short horror movies and creating an angry, synth-punk band are my next goals. I feel like I have a whole world undulating inside of me that is oozing at this point. I also want to get more into fashion. Right now, I do T-shirts and handbags, but eventually, I want to get more involved with sewing and adding modifications. I love to handpaint shirts, but screen-printing ones with my work on them, I feel that would be killer. I want to hop on that more. I want to make harnesses and gay, cowboy-inspired outfits. Spikes and leather everywhere.

As a person of color in the alt scene, what are some of the challenges you have faced?

Tons of other alternative kids loved to give me skin-bleaching advice to “further” my appearance. Lots of people accused me of “acting white” and would try cutting my hair off. I grew up in Louisiana, so you can get a whiff of how enthralling that was. To stay up-to-date with Lazarus, follow him on Facebook and Instagram @dungeoncowboy and TikTok @riselazarusrise. Make sure to check out his official website, dungeoncowboy.squarespace.com, and his Facebook page, Missing and Unidentified LGBT Individuals.

It’s our differences that make us great.

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Images courtesy of Big Freedia

Although 2020 was an absolute train-wreck for the entertainment industry, artists and celebrities embraced the year’s challenges the best they could. Big Freedia took this time to channel her inner creativity and focus on hot-button issues.

An irrepressible force behind bounce rap music going mainstream, Freedia has been a trailblazing, LGBTQ figure in the industry since she roared onto the scene with her first LP, Queen Diva, back in 2003. Collaborating with iconic music stars like Beyonce, Lizzo, and Drake, not only does she like to get the party started, but her projects come with a message that immediately captures our attention.

An outspoken voice for LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter activism, Freedia is a vibrant and full-of-life figure who has overcome several odds throughout life. From growing up as an overweight, gay, choir boy in one of the worst neighborhoods in New Orleans, to surviving Hurricane Katrina, to flourishing in the underground bounce music scene, her signature creativity and resilience continue to set her apart.