Interviewee: Katrice Baker
Interviewer: A.C. Panella
Date of interview: March 7, 2022
This interview may be accessed in the Reading Room only.
Biography:
Katrice Baker was born and raised in Atlanta. She spent time in the military before going to art school and has been active in groups such as the Trans Housing Atlanta Program.
Abstract:
Katrice Baker shares that she was born and raised in Atlanta. She reflects on her experiences being in the military and eventually going to art school. At the time of recording, Katrice reports having access to a supportive trans community in Georgia and being active with the Trans Housing Atlanta Program. She discusses her love of music, particularly singing, as well as her involvement in chorus groups such as the All Saints Metropolitan Choir. Katrice also touches on spirituality, recalling experiences of affirmation and marginalization in Christian churches.
Interviewee: Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga
Interviewer: A.C. Panella
Date of interview: April 15, 2024; May 11, 2024
Biography:
Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga (she/her), newlywed, Mrs. McQueen, transitioned to Manhattan after being an 11-year resident of Atlanta. As the first LGBTQ+ liaison in Georgia as appointed by State Representative Park Cannon of District 58 in January 2018 and parted from the position in September 2022, during that time Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga has been the contributor to many Atlanta political and governmental legislation such as HB290, has collaborated to commemorate many Georgia LGBTQ+ leaders, including Miss Lawrence Balenciaga, and helps lead many queer movements within her community (World AIDS Day events, HIV testing initiatives, Black/LGBTQ+Pride/rallies, etc.).
Jennifer is currently the Director of the Crystal La’Beija Organizing Fellowship (CLOF), was an on-the-ground HIV Prevention Specialist, and continues to act as a volunteer around many HIV-related initiatives. Jennifer has also been a Youth Policy HIV Advisor for Georgia Equality and has presented at many HIV-related conferences, such as NAESM, USCA, and even at congressional gatherings through AIDSWatch. The multi-awarded Barnes-Balenciaga hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been seen on Season 2 of POSE FX. She has been published in many distinguished publications, such as The New York Times, TEENVogue, Harvard Public Health & VeryWellHealth, to name a few.
Jennifer holds numerous organizational and committee affiliations: newly mayoral appointed Commissioner for NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), Co-Investigator for RESPND-MI (MPX-NYC), Vice President of Cincinnati Black Pride, Social Media Committee Chair for Sankofa Black Women’s Conference, and is a member of the illustrious House of Balenciaga, a leading institution in the House and Ballroom Scene.
She recently graduated from BMCC, on the Dean’s List, with an AA in Political Science and is now attending Baruch College to finish her BA in Political Science with a Law Minor.
Abstract, April 15, 2024:
In a first interview, Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga introduces herself as a woman of trans experience and shares that she is originally from Ohio, where she remains the vice president of Cincinnati Black Pride. She discusses her youth at length, recounting how she explored gender from an early age and navigated relationships with her parents. At times, the interview addresses experiences of transphobia, including outside attempts to suppress gender expression and sexuality, and how Jennifer developed a strong sense of self despite this. She also talks about her love of singing and participation in choirs, mentioning that summer camps related to choir were formative in exploring identity. Later in the interview, Jennifer reflects on moving to Atlanta and building community in the ballroom/pageantry scene. This included figures like Trinity K. Bonet, MC Debra, and Andre Mizrahi. She also recalls memorable places such as the Atlanta Eagle, Club 91, Chaparral, Primal, Club 708, and Lenox Mall. Finally, Jennifer describes support and healthcare systems in Atlanta in the 2010s, touching on initiatives like the Evolution Project.
Interviewee: Kendall Arin Brown
Interviewer: Amari McGee
Date of interview: October 7, 2023
Special Collections and Archives
Gender and Sexuality Collections: Subject Guide
Phone: (404) 413-2880
E-Mail: archives@gsu.edu
Mailing Address:
Special Collections & Archives
Georgia State University Library
100 Decatur Street, SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3202
In Person:
Library South, 8th floor
