Words by Kristal Trotter

MQBMBQ (acronym for “My Queer Blackness, My Black Queerness”) is an exploration of Black Queer identity through photography, film and literature. Created by Italy based creative director Jordan Anderson, the project launched on social media in the summer of 2020, in the midst of global unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic, and just like many projects that were introduced during this time, MQBMBQ is a protest; a virtual safe space where the celebration and visibility of blackness and queerness is a form of protest against white queer racism and Black queer antagonism.
The latest of many initiatives to uplift the community and engage in conversations is The Queer Black Italian Experience, a physical manifestation of the virtual safe space. Moderated by Anderson, directed by Byron Rosero and supported by Converse, seven Black Queer Italians gather for an important discussion about their experiences in Italy. Guests Mati Gwen Cosenza , Emmanuel Yoro, Loredane Tshilombo, Majid Capovani, Stefano Duc, Alex Aiyeniwon and Francesca Zanardo give their input on several topics that range from the Black experience, identity, sexual orientation, accessibility, representation and fashion. Never before has there been a roundtable centered around the Black and POC Queer experience in Italy. A must see.