by Patruni Chidananda Sastry

The idea of art was something that I developed as I started learning about practices around me. I always used to be amused with the oddity of things in life. With my training in Indian classical dance early on, I was taught to see the world through the lens of how it needed to be seen. The idea of what is beauty vs what is reality helped me keep questioning time and again. With my approach to drag in which I appear as a suffocated art specimen, trying to rip the beauty apart from what the world liked to see, I was always seen as an unpredictable drag performer. Initially, I was questioned about my aesthetics but it took some time to educate people on the idea of Tranimal. However, the idea of creating art by myself was something that encouraged me to keep the ball rolling.

We all have questions. Or, at least, thoughts. Some themes that have come up are: Who are we? What do we want? What are we doing in this little corner of the internet/world we call Queer Pack? And, finally, why is the word “queer” being used?

Let’s start easy. We’re Katja Ken, Sam, and Gabby. You can read basic bios here. In a nutshell, put us in a blender (please don’t) and you’d get a mix of: enbies, lesbians, feminists, butch, bisexuals, trans, demies, and spoonies. You’d also get book worms, media junkies, cat lovers, beach lovers, sleep lovers, anarchists, and a many-a-dash of other things.

How does this relate to Queer Pack?

We are queers who are all in love with the idea of representation. We know, first hand, how important representation is and the difference it can make, not only to young people seeking answers, but adults. Not only to those being represented, but also to those who live within communities who aren’t exposed to something “other”—something not the norm, for them. Representation provides a reflection for people to see themselves, but also a window for others. This can help foster understanding and take away fear/misunderstanding of the unknown.

Guess who’s back?

Back again?

Shady’s ba—

Wait. Wrong announcement. And decade.

Almost wrong century? Wow we’re all old.

But no, really! Guess who’s back?

Queer Pack is back (try saying that ten times as fast as you can) and hopefully with some new queer books very soon!

Queer Pack Went Away?

We did! But now, we are so, so excited to announce that Queer Pack is back after such a long hiatus. We’ve amicably split off from Ylva Publishing and will be our own functioning (well, that’s the plan) entity. So, watch this space, because some cool things will be happening! Especially queer books, because isn’t that why we’re all here, really?

If you’re not sure who we are, or want to learn more about how we’ve changed, you can read more about our team here.

Tell Us Something About Yourself

My name is Cameron Van Sant and I live in Sacramento, California, which according to one Wikipedia page, is the sixth gayest city in America, and easily the gayest American city you’ve never heard of.

When I was a kid watching Sailor Moon, Sailor Uranus was my butch ideal. I shipped her and Sailor Neptune long before I knew what shipping was. Since I later figured out I am a man, it cracks me up that my childhood hero worship was turned up to 11 for androgynous women like Sailor Uranus rather than male characters…

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Tell Us Something About Yourself

My name is Aila Alvina Boyd and I live in a quaint town in Virginia in the U.S.

My absolute favourite television character is Annalise Keating from How to Get Away with Murder. When I watched the show when it first premiered, I was immediately blown away by how determined she was. She always seems to go all in with whatever it is she’s doing and that really makes for an interesting character, in my opinion. The other thing that drew me in was the fact that she’s so complex. She’s like an onion: so many layers. Also, Viola Davis does a great job at playing the character.

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