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Theodoor was asked to create something that represented an unplugging from The Matrix of the #AntiTransHateMachine and our collaboration as TGNC people and allies to destroy it––for good. You’ll also find three more gorgeous, original illustrations by @ggggrimes within these pages that will serve as a #transjoy visual feast for your eyeballs to see you through ‘til the end.

Beyond Theodoor’s lush, vibrant art, you’ll find even more #transjoy in the form of watercolors, comics, and more! We’re honored and grateful to be able to compensate all of our contributors for their creativity and labor. You can purchase your very own print edition at translash.org/zine for yourself and loved ones. All proceeds help us with the costs tied to producing our zine series.

Look out for the chapter on our Guide to the #AntiTransHateMachine; there you’ll find even more resources to help you unpack the ways that antitrans bills keep moving through state legislatures––and how to help stop them. And don’t forget to scan the QR codes for some fun surprises….

With Love & Strength, Team TransLash

COVER ART TITLE: Destruction (2023)

ARTIST: Theodoor Grimes

ARTIST BIO: Theodoor Grimes is a Black digital artist known for his vibrant illustrations that center the queer experience under the moniker ggggrimes (pronounced Grimes). Based in the Bronx, NY, Theodoor is entirely self taught. ggggrimes’ work is known not only for its dedication to uplifting queer people, but also for its brilliantly colorful, lush, and peaceful depictions of life and queer sex. Theodoor often describes his work as a portrayal of queer people of color living happy, beautiful, and sexy lives: highlighting joyous and free worlds that every queer deserves. Theodoor’s range has led to collaborations with well-known brands like gc2b, Opening Ceremony, Huffpost, PRISM, Everpress, GRAV, Lyft, Gucci, OKCupid, VICE, OGX at Gov Ball, and HBO Max at Art Basel. Theodoor’s main goal in collaborations is providing a means for visibly trans people of color to be seen in the mainstream. In 2023, Theodoor turned their sights to galleries now that they’re back in NYC, with work in group shows at La Mama Galleria and Lehman College Art Gallery. Theodoor spends their days in their attic apartment in the Bronx with their nonbinary partner, Callum, and their cisgender cat daughter, Mildred. His daily activities consist of painting on his iPad, doing pilates on youtube, watching anime, and reading horoscopes for Leo risings.

STATEMENT: "Destruction" shows three trans people of different races preparing to fight against a machine that spews trans hatred, using warped religious ideology as fuel. It’s a reflection of the powerful systems that brainwash us everyday to hate ourselves and each other, while making money from our suffering. The fashion for this piece was really important to me, blending futurism with modern trends. I also wanted the weapons to feel like an extension of the subjects, to show that trans people of all means can fight against this machine with the tools they have.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram: @ggggrimes

Twitter: @ggggrimes

Portfolio: ggggrimes.com/gallery

Commission portfolio at ggggrimes.com/commissions

Email: ggggrimes.art@gmail.com

Since 2019, TransLash Zine has been a collaboration with POC Zine Project founder Daniela “Dani” Capistrano (they/them), TransLash Zine editor-inchief. @POCZineProject has been helping to make zines by people of color easy to find, distribute, and share since 2010. POC Zine Project is going through a rebrand process and will remove “POC” from the title in 2023 to honor community feedback.