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Talk Derby To Me: Meet Retired Skater Pseudonym

Posted on May 18, 2018
A photo of retired Bayou City Boss skater Pseudonym.

When you think of roller derby, safe is probably the furthest word from your mind. Between the jams, blocks, and hip checks, the physical athleticism required definitely deems it a rough-and-tumble sport. Surprisingly enough, however, Houston Roller Derby (HRD) has not only created a safe space for its members, but a welcoming community for skaters, volunteers, and fans alike. I had the pleasure of catching up with retired Bayou City Bosses skater and blocker Suzie Sheldon, aka Pseudonym, to discuss…

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On Being in Your Body: Queer Self-Love as a Radical Act

Posted on May 9, 2018
A photo of On Being in Your Body creators.

I first heard about On Being in Your Body (OBIYB) while I was working with a client of mine who identifies as a gender non-conforming queer. We were talking about our positive experiences and connections via Instagram and she couldn’t stop singing the praises of this project to help womxn, queer, and non-binary humans to reclaim their bodies through art, writing, and human connection.…

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Talk Derby to Me: Meet Psych Ward Sirens Skater Paula Cream-Her

Posted on April 20, 2018
A photo of roller derby girl Paula Cream-Her

For Amanda Carmona, aka Paula Cream-Her #4, finding roller derby was like finding the missing piece to the puzzle of life. Initially drawn in by the sport’s strong female leadership, Cream-Her stayed for its inclusive atmosphere, celebration of uniqueness, and team spirit. Spectrum South had the pleasure of chatting with Cream-Her about her journey of discovering her identity and roller derby, her love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and her rookie season with the Houston Roller Derby’s Psych Ward Sirens.…

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Top Four Queer Swimming Holes in the South

Posted on April 18, 2018
A photo of queer swimming hole Hippie Hollow.

As summer closes in, I’m struck by the overwhelming desire for a queer swimming experience, a place where we can all gather and connect with the water in a joyful way that simultaneously quenches the heat and the need for community. But I hesitated. Do places like that exist in the South?…

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Gently Healing from Within: Dr. Laura McGuire Hosts Houston Trauma Recovery Workshop

Posted on April 9, 2018
An illustration of healing after trauma.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when survivors and their allies come together to be seen, heard, and create change for the future. We talk a lot about prevention and crisis, which are both vital parts of the conversation, but rarely do we discuss long-term recovery. Sexual violence isn’t the kind of emotional or physical wound that heals easily. The pain and injury is deep and, even after the trauma has become a distant memory, it is a…

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Cooking as Self-Care: How I Found a Creative Escape from My Creative Career

Posted on March 24, 2018
A photo of home cooking.

“When you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” This well-known saying may have some truth behind it, but it’s often terribly misinterpreted. Just because you love what you do doesn’t mean it isn’t work. At times, your dream job will be exhausting, difficult, and you will want to escape from it, even if just for a little while. When we turn our passion into a career, what we want to do, over…

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