RYANN HOLMES ON THE ORIGINS OF BKLYN BOIHOOD, IDENTITY AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Ok, so what is a “boi?” according to Urbandictionary.com (a HIGHLY trusted source), it’s a word used in “the lesbian community, a young transgendered/androgynous/masculine person who is biologically female and presents themselves in a young, boyish way.” Ryann Holmes, the co-founder of Bklyn Boihood, whose mission is defined as “to spread love through community-building events, music and art while sharing our journey as bois of color who believe in safe spaces, accountable action and self-care” has a more interesting way to answer that question.
In addition to providing physical space for bois to commune, chill, talk and party, Bklyn Boihood also produces a yearly calendar that slyly and geniusly pokes playful fun at annual firefighter calendars by using a similar format that instead, promotes beautiful, regal, stylish images of bois of color empowered by their image. Bklyn Boihood also host an annual retreat and conducts workshops at colleges and community organizations on “Un/Doing Masculinity” which champions “healthy masculinity, intersectionality of identities and anti-misogyny for bois of color all over the world.”
We spoke with the exceptionally down-to-earth, intelligent, and cool-as-hell Ryann about the origins of Brooklyn Boihood and its journey to becoming an international movement (at the interview, we were told the collective had just been granted a publishing deal for an anthology due out mid 2015), Ryann’s own struggles with self-acceptance and the complexity of masculine and feminine identity.
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