“Black Queer Frequency is a strategy for marginalised people to embrace, survive and thrive in a bleak, drab world that rather we didn’t exist”

Madison Moore

At its core black queer frequency is a practice of refusal. An impassioned objection to the dull and drab societal norms that marginalise people of colour in favour of the brighter and more vibrant spaces created by marginalised people. A way of dealing with and creating safe spaces for people who are marginalised.

Some of these spaces include on the street and in queer/BAME friendly night clubs, as a space for fashion, becoming a performative space as people show off their clothing. These spaces are therapeutic, allowing marginalised people who feel suppressed in their daily lives to be themselves without feeling judged or out of place. In its essence this is what Madison describes as his definition of fabulousness. Having the courage and confidence to be yourself and break away from societal norms without feeling repressed or giving heed to people who may judge you.

I think these core values Madison Moore highlights are useful for anyone who feels marginalised for any reason. Being mixed race and half Filipino I resonate with these values. Growing up going through the English schooling system I often found I received small occasional microaggressions. Often making me feel like an outsider. Never anything surface level and obvious, just little things that made it clear to me how certain people viewed me and Asians in general. I remember one time I was eating shepherd’s pie leftovers my mum made the day before. Someone asked me what it was and I told him it was shepherd’s pie, explaining that my mum makes it and it’s her best dish. He then went on to comment and make a joke saying “How is shepherd’s pie her best dish, that’s English” Although insulting and racially profiling my mum and indirectly my likeness. I laughed with him, trying to fit in. Fabulousness is something I have been trying to develop and introduce into my life. The ability to be confident in yourself and your background is powerful. If I could go back in time I wouldn’t have laughed, I would have explained to him how he insulted me and my mum. I am done ignoring my Filipino side.