2024 Issue 1 Jan/Feb Focus - Mid-South Magazine

Serving the Mid-South LGBT+ Community and its Allies | Jan+Feb 2024 

FREE 

Creativity 

INSIDE THE NEW 

SHEET CAKE 

ART GALLERY 

QUEER AS 

IN BLACK 

IMAGINATION 

ADDRESS LABEL 

HIDE BEFORE 

PRINT FINAL 

TOMMY KHA 

ON ART AND TRUTH 

ON BEING FUNNY WITH 

ZEPHYR MCANINCH 

Q+A WITH OUR 

COVER ARTIST

Rediscover. 

Explore. 

Seek. 

Find.

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EXPECT TO BE IMPRESSED. 

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Company 

East Memphis Athletic Club 

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Frost Bake Shop 

G Brady 

Heather 

Hot Yoga Plus 

J McLaughlin 

J. Jill 

James Davis 

Joseph 

Joseph Men 

King Furs & Fine Jewelry 

Kittie Kyle 

Libro 

Lori James Contemporary 

Boutique 

Nicole Barre Bridal Boutique 

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Restaurant Iris 

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Vignettes Interior Design 

ZupMed 

SPONSORED BY... 

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from the editor 

the team 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Jasper Joyner 

(they/them) 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

+ AD DESIGN 

Daphne Butler (she/her) 

DIGITAL MARKETING 

COORDINATOR 

Kelly Seagraves (she/they) 

DISTRIBUTION 

+ SUBSCRIPTIONS 

info@focusmidsouth.com 

Happy new year! We’re so excited to 

share with you all Focus has planned 

for 2024. But first, let’s recap 2023. 

Last year, Focus shared 34,200 print 

issues around the city of Memphis! 

We had 1.56 million page views in 

2023! And many of you followed our 

newsletter, which featured a reader 

favorite highlighting all of the 

LGBTQ+ films at the 2023 Indie 

Memphis Film Festival. 

We celebrated our local LGBTQ 

community in a big way with the 8th 

Annual Focus Awards, shining a light 

on activists, artists and trailblazers in 

and around the Midsouth. We also had 

the privilege of showcasing awesome 

queer writers and poets at our Prism 

Pages pop-up in January. 

In 2024? Focus is all about 

community. Expect even more 

event-centered coverage both here in 

print and online that encourages 

everyone to connect in creative, fun 

and safe spaces. Follow our 

newsletter for biweekly event roundups, 

exclusive digital content, and 

local LGBTQ news. 

And also get ready, because we want 

to hear from you! Check out our Black 

History Month piece (page 26) on 

how to submit your LGBTQ+ events 

for possible print or digital coverage. 

As always, we’re constantly committed 

to sharing your inspiring stories, 

brilliant artwork, moving poetry and 

prose. And we cannot wait to share all 

of our awesome 2024 issue themes. 

Next issue is all about LGBTQ+ Nerds! 

As always, you can submit your ideas 

and art to Focus via the Editor email 

to your right. 

Thank you all for 2023. Now time for 

more in 2024! 

Warmly, 

Jasper Joyner, Managing Editor 

OPERATIONS 

+ PROMOS 

Ray Rico (he/him) 

Focus ® Mid-South is all about LGBT + people and their allies… their work, play, 

families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls. Our focus is on you. 

Focus ® Mid-South is published bi-monthly and distributed free throughout the 

greater Mid-South area. Focus reserves the right to refuse to sell space for 

any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. Press 

releases must be received by the first of the month for the following issue. 

All content of this magazine, including and without limitation to the design, 

advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, 

coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright ©2024, Focus ® Mid-South. 

All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted 

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Deadline for story and advertising submission is February 9, 2024 

4 Creativity | Jan+Feb 2024 | focuslgbt.com

FEATURED WRITERS IN THIS ISSUE 

CONTRIBUTORS 

We rely on community contributors for Focus magazine news and stories. 

A huge thanks to these dedicated writers! 

Tricia Dewey 

(she/her) 

Tricia is a longtime Memphis transplant, who has grown to 

admire the ‘grit and grind.’ She is also a mom, wife, runner, 

reader, recovering lawyer, tree hugger, and ally. 

Minnassa Gabon 

(she/her) 

Minnassa Gabon is a Southern Californian now living in 

the Mid-South. She is the C.E.O. of Minnassa Wellness, 

a psychic intuitive, Reiki Master, and the Chair of 

OUTMemphis’ Senior Services. 

Chris Reeder Young, M.A. 

(she/her) 

Chris is an applied anthropologist and has 

lived in Memphis for 16 years. 

William Smythe 

(he/him) 

William is a local writer and poet. He has been 

published in multiple magazines, both online and 

in print, and works with the community creative 

workshop collective, Memphis Writers. 

Have a story that needs to be told? Pitch your story ideas to editor@focuslgbt.com 

Jan+Feb 2024 | focuslgbt.com | Creativity 5

CONTENTS | Jan+Feb 2024 

5 CONTRIBUTORS 

7 THEME: CREATIVITY 

8 COMMUNITY 

Q+A with our awesome cover artist Shira Mae 

who creates in several mediums with a distinct 

focus on surrealism 

12 COMMUNITY 

A peek inside the new, queer-inclusive artist gallery 

Sheet Cake created by art curator Lauren Kennedy 

14 ORIGINAL MEMPHIS 

Our We Saw You OUT series documents proud 

LGBTQ locals. See if you spot yourself or a friend! 

20 LIFE 

Semi-autobiographical self-portraitist Tommy 

Kha’s book "Half, Full, Quarter" tells his story of 

art and truth 

26 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT 

Highlighting Black LGBTQ artists, joy and health with 

three great events this Black History Month 

28 COMMUNITY 

Writer and Poet William Smythe in conversation with 

Bluff City Liars’ Founder Zephyr McAninch 

30 LIFE 

Psychic intuitive Minnassa Gabon shares January and 

February horoscope readings for every sign! 

34 LIFE 

United Way shares creative tips on how to 

be financially stable. 

38 ORIGINAL MEMPHIS 

Our crossword puzzle, How’s Your Gaydar? 

ON THE COVER 

Art by Shira Mae 

Find the story on page 8 

ON THIS PAGE 

Lauren Kennedy (r) at Sheet 

Cake Gallery general opening 

photo by Lucy Garrett 

Find the story on page 12 


theme 

Self portrait 

by Anthony Lorenzo 

Find the story on page 26. 


community 

QA+ 

with Our Cover Artist 

Shira 

photos courtesy of Shira Torrech 

The awesome art featured on our cover is by Shira Mae (they/them), a queer, Puerto Rican artist who creates in several 

mediums with a distinct focus on surreal illustrations. Shira enjoys expanding their illustrations to up-cycled clothing, 

hand-painted bags, jewelry & accessories, and even large-scale murals. Here’s a bit more about Shira’s artistic journey, 

and how they stay creative. 

How would you describe your art for someone who's 

never seen it before? 

My artwork is vibrant, prismatic, and surrealistic with 

deep connections to nature, people’s identities and 

emotions. My work is often described as psychedelic and 

compared to some of my favorite cartoons like Adventure 

Time and the work of Studio Ghibli. 

What inspires you as an artist? 

The world around me inspires me daily. Functional 

art has always been a medium that has sparked my 

interests, especially within the world of fashion. Fashion 

has inspired my art to exist beyond a piece of paper 

or canvas. I’m able to create a piece of art through the 

functionality of clothing or other accessories. Thrifting 

and up-cycling home goods has inspired me to be more 

conscious of what I make, as well. I find myself being 

inspired by other artists, both mutual and well known. I 

love watching cartoons and anime, I’m constantly inspired 

by the absurdity, vibrancy and emotions they provoke. 

This is where I find my work going in different directions, 

whether it be more expressive and playful in the way I 


create, or fundamentally simple. Through each fail and 

success, (I will not mention the ratio here) this multimedia 

journey leaves me more inspired to expound on my 

findings in different areas, starting a domino effect. I take 

in everything I can. 

You made an amazing mural as part of Paint Memphis, an 

annual mural festival. What was that experience like? 

It was possibly one of the most challenging, but 

rewarding experiences I’ve had this far in my art career. 

It was great to see so many artists given a platform to 

come together and add beautiful art to our city. The most 

challenging part was working at such a large scale. When 

I saw my wall in person the first time, a rush of excitement 

came over me, almost immediately followed by panic 

(I’m scared of heights). I arrived with a full sketch to use 

as a starting point on my projector, but due to some 

uncontrollable lighting I had to forget about using the 

projector entirely. So hoping for the best, I started blocking 

in paint, having to free-hand the entire piece. It was my 

first time using spray paint on a large scale, and I did it 

using a picture on my phone as a point of reference. Very 

thankful to the people who stopped by to hold my ladder, 

talk to me, and bring me more paint! Being an artist can 

be isolating, but the Memphis queer and art community 

always comes through, which really made things a little 

easier. I learned too many valuable lessons to count, and I 

am looking forward to my next mural! 

How would you say Memphis or the south has influenced 

your art, if at all? 

Having grown up in all parts of the country, born in 

Ocala, FL, the south has been the biggest influence on my 

art. Memphis is by far the most influential city I have lived 

in. This city’s creative community has been the most loving 

and accepting I have ever experienced. To have so many 

people & resources to support you, believe in you and 

push you to be the best artist you can be, is a gift. It wasn’t 

until I started my freshman fall semester at the University 

of Memphis that I started making art, and started to 

consider my true self an artist. There’s one professor in 

mind, Hamlett Dobbins, who made me feel like an artist 

and opened my mind to the world around me. Within 

this community I’ve made some lifelong friends and have 

been given many great opportunities. Even now living in 

Chicago, Memphis and the artists within inspire my work 

everyday. 

What does creativity mean to you? 

To me, creativity means to create art out of your comfort 

zone. To challenge oneself and to learn is to be creative. No 

matter what form that art may exist in, whether it is food, 

a potted plant, a book, a sketch, etc. To put something 

out in the world that you can’t take back, is to be creative. 

Exploring different worlds of creativity motivates me 

and makes me want to learn more skills. I love trying new 

techniques and working in different mediums. Throughout 

the years I’ve expanded my art through jewelry making, 

polymer clay, screen printing, block printing, sewing, hand 

painting purses/bags and clothing. The list goes on… 

Anything you’d like to share with our readers about your 

work? 

All of my work, whether for sale or not, lives on my 

website, shiramae.studio. If you’re in Memphis, you can 

visit some of my murals around the city including: the 

exam rooms and offices of Choices Reproductive Health 

Clinic in Midtown, 901 Community Fridges (that provide 

free food in food deserts of Memphis) located at 885 S 

Highland St (Trinity Church), Planeta 777 in Broad Ave 

Arts District, and my Paint Memphis mural located at 628 

Madison Ave. You can also find me popping up at Memphis 

Mid-South Pride in June. It’ll be my 3rd year in a row! Love 

you, Memphis!!! 

Follow Shira Mae at @shiramaestudio for more art, 

merch, discount codes and frequent updates. 


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community 

Sheet Cake, Where 

Everyone Gets a Slice 

Inside the New Sheet Cake Art Gallery 

by Chris Reeder Young, M.A. 


Endlessly creative and equitable 

art goddess Lauren Kennedy has 

opened an art gallery called Sheet 

Cake, where everyone gets a slice. 

Sheet Cake Gallery opening 

photo by Lucy Garrett 


Tell our readers a little bit 

about the landscape of 

your life before opening 

up Sheet Cake Gallery. 

I received a BA in Art 

History from Rhodes 

College in 2008, and my 

love for art goes back 

even further than that, 

digging into art books 

at Books-A-Million with 

my dad as a kid. I've 

been very fortunate to 

work in several different 

positions in the arts since 

I graduated from college. 

These include the Nasher 

Sculpture Museum, Dallas 

Art Fair, Ballet Memphis 

and most recently serving 

as the Director of the 

UrbanArt Commission. I 

had a very uncommercial 

gallery project in my 

apartment for about five 

years called Southfork that 

gave me so much during 

that time. I am pulling from 

each of those experiences 

in opening Sheet Cake and 

will be forever grateful for 

opportunities that have 

been presented to me and 

for taking those as far as 

I can. 

What inspired you to start 

Sheet Cake? 

I have had people ask 

me for years if I ever 

wanted to open my own 

gallery, but the thought 

was always too daunting 

to really consider. Then I 

was really thinking about 

what came after my time 

at UAC, and I think both 

my experience building 

and the responses to the 

Memphis International 

Airport art collection made 

me wake up and think... 

Could I really do this? 

I have had some 

incredible people 

championing me in this 

endeavor from the very 

beginning and pushing 

me to make it real for 

myself, the artists, and for 

Memphis. Sheet Cake to 

me is an invitation. It has 

been so important to me 

from the beginning that 

this space feels warm, 

welcoming and accessible. 

And the name and 

branding for the gallery 

had to be the first place to 

encounter that vibe. The 

art world can take itself so 

seriously a lot of the time, 

and that's just not really 

my jam. A sheet cake is 

an inelegant but always 

comforting experience 

to me. The name actually 

hit me at a concert after 

weeks and weeks of back 

and forth in person and in 

a group text with some of 

my closest friends. It just 

felt right, come on in and 

have a slice of something 

sweet! 

I also knew early on that 

I wanted to land in the 

Edge District. There are 

some incredible resources 

and support in this area 

thanks to the good folks 

at the Memphis Medical 

District Collaborative 

and Downtown Memphis. 

They helped me at every 

step of the way. There is 

so much good stuff over 

here that has come up 

over the last few years, 

and there's more good 

things on the way. 

Which artists and what 

types of art can visitors 

expect to see at Sheet 

Cake? 

Sheet Cake is very proud 

to work with a group of 14 

very different and exciting 

artists in the first year. 

Lauren Kennedy. 

photo by Houston Cofield 

A sheet cake is an 

inelegant but always 

comforting experience to 

me. It just felt right, come 

on in and have a slice of 

something sweet! 

Sheet Cake Interior. 

photo courtesy of Chris Reeder Young, M.A. 


Brittney Boyd Bullock, Gloria. Yarn, fiber, 

cording, thread, sequins, 38" x 38". 2023 

Interior of Sheet Cake gallery, courtesy of Chris Reeder Young, M.A. 

More images available at sheetcakegallery.com/pages/ 

artists, courtesy Sheet Cake Art Gallery 

The focus of the gallery 

is on artists based in and 

connected to the regional 

South, intentionally 

celebrating women, queer 

artists, and artists of color. 

There is a big range in 

terms of subject matter, 

approach, and aesthetics 

that feels really energizing 

to me. Everybody is 

bringing something special 

to the table. I think this 

first show, Welcome In, 

really highlights that and 

hopefully makes people 

feel excited for what’s 

to come. About half of 

these artists are based in 

Memphis and the other half 

are coming from Atlanta, 

Knoxville, New York, 

Houston and Greenville. I 

very much want to support 

the work being made here 

and introduce artists in 

other cities to Memphis. 

Who inspires you? 

In no particular order: 

Dolly Parton, Daryl 

Hannah's character from 

Steel Magnolias (before 

she finds Jesus), Louise 

Bourgeois' “Sunday 

Salons,” Derek Fordjour, my 

grandma, my baby girl, and 

the artists in Welcome In. 

What do you hope Sheet 

Cake does for Memphis? 

I hope that Sheet Cake 

feeds the arts ecosystem 

in an important way by 

providing space for artists 

to show work, for Memphis 

to encounter new art 

and ideas, and for folks 

outside of Memphis to see 

that there are incredible 

things coming from this 

place. Baked into Sheet 

Cake is a loving demand 

for your attention and 

acknowledgement that the 

South and Memphis are 

more than what you think 

they are. 

In a city where difficult 

pieces of news run across 

our phones, how can 

Sheet Cake be a reprieve 

for us? 

Memphis is many, many 

things, and the local and 

national news coverage 

of crime here isn't it. I 

think Sheet Cake is an 

opportunity to celebrate 

what makes this place and 

our region special and fills 

our cups up when other 

things drain them. 

Why is art important? 

Art is everything! It's how 

we will be remembered! 

It feeds us, makes us ask 

questions, reflects our 

very different experiences 

moving through the world, 

keeps things interesting 

and weird, and inspires all 

the emotions. 

Who would you like 

to thank as part of the 

creation of this gallery 

vision? 

There are so many 

people to thank that I 

feel like it could be this 

entire article; but, I want 

to specifically thank my 

incredible family and 

friends who have held me 

together and stepped in to 

tend bar, get ice, babysit, 

and everything in between. 

Of course, I want to show 

gratitude for the artists 

in this first show—none of 

this would be real if they 

didn't do what they do. 

I'm getting teary-eyed 

thinking about all of these 

loving folks. 


original memphis 

We saw you OUT 

We love finding our people out in the wild! If FOCUS has stopped by to say hello to you while at 

any of the great LGBTQ events here in Memphis, odds are we’ve asked to document your good 

time. See if you spot yourself, a friend, or someone you’d like to get to know! 




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2024 | focuslgbt.com | Creativity 19

life 

Tommy Kha 

Half, Full, Quarter 

Semi-autobiographical self-portraitist Tommy Kha’s book 

Half, Full, Quarter tells his story of art and truth 

by Tricia Dewey 

I think Ocean Vuong 

says it best, which 

is ‘start with truth 

and end with art.’ 


I think what 

Memphis does 

affects the country, 

that coming 

together, not just 

in support, but 

that interaction, 

and just the 

togetherness, that 

community inaction. 

I hope that 

other people feel 

that and receive 

that. 

Photographer Tommy Kha has been described as a semi-autobiographical selfportraitist. 

What is that, you might ask? His book, Tommy Kha: Half, Full, Quarter, 

published in February 2023, answers that question. It contains many of these selfportraits, 

at times with his mother, and in different, surprising compositions, or in the form 

of cardboard cutouts of different sizes and contours. 

Half, Full, Quarter was a joint venture with nonprofit publisher the Aperture Foundation 

and other groups, as well as part of Kha’s 2021 Next Step Award, which supports U.S.- 

based artists with attention to equity and presenting diverse opinions “at critical junctures 

in their artistic development.” An exhibition, Ghost Bites, affiliated with the award opened 

in February 2023 at the Camera Club of New York on Baxter Street. Kha lives in New York 

and Memphis, teaches at the Parsons School of Design, and has an exhibition coming up 

in March 2024 at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. 

Kha describes his new book as five intertwined bodies of work. It’s a survey of ideas 

he’s been working on the last few years that include photographs taken by his mother, 

May Kha, in the 1980s. The end of Half, Full, Quarter contains collages that were added 

toward the final part of Kha’s process. He played with them to try to reiterate the cutout 

gestures that appear in the book’s main body of work called “Facades.” That section 

is basically pictures of his cutout form, cardboard standings, and the insert of the 3D 

printed mask of his face. Another section of the book, “Southern Portraits,” is composed 

almost entirely of photographs set in Memphis, as are the photographs in the section 

titled “Semi-self-portraits.” 

These many themes at work in Tommy Kha’s photography rhyme with his observations 

about creativity. He says, “To be creative, to create, are almost synonymous to being an 

archivist, activist, historian, artist, archaeologist, hunter, gatherer, an exorcist, a medium. 

But I think Ocean Vuong says it best, which is ‘start with truth and end with art.’” 

That art and truth for Kha start with his Memphis background. Kha grew up in 

Whitehaven. He went to Graceland Elementary, and graduated from Memphis College 

of Art in 2011, before getting his MFA from Yale in 2013. “Memphis is not just this kind of 

subject matter for me,” says Kha, “It appears in my work. It's in the background of some 

of my photographs. It’s where I experienced the majority of my life. It played a really 

big role. So there's a bit of anxiety and attempts at understanding that happens when I 

come home. My family still lives in Memphis. I feel like I'm more of a part-time person or 

Memphis expat being out in the world, but I always try to find things that remind me of 

home. I'm looking for something familiar, something that kind of echoes that feeling.” 

Kha was working on Half, Full, Quarter in 2020 when he was invited to submit a 

work to the UrbanArt Commission for the Terminal B reopening art gallery display at 

Memphis International Airport to be featured with other artists who grew up or worked 

in Memphis. Kha was originally excited about this as a native Memphian, as well as 

the opportunity to be shown alongside his teachers and mentors. His initial proposal, 

though, was rejected. Closer to summer 2021, UrbanArt and the airport requested his 

art to be shown in January 2022. The photograph, titled “Constellations VIII,” depicts a 

cardboard cutout of Kha in a 1970’s Elvis jumpsuit amidst what appears to be a 1960’s 

era kitchen. Kha made the photograph in 2017 and it had been on a billboard in LA and 

on the cover of Vice magazine. 

Kha’s photograph was on display in Terminal B for about a month before he began to 

get messages from UrbanArt and airport officials about negative comments about the 

work on Facebook, some of which included racist complaints. Kha says there were some 

unhappy Elvis fans who had a lot to say about his photograph. Kha met with airport 

officials alongside the UrbanArt Commission over Zoom and there was an agreement to 

discuss the situation further. He requested to be informed if there were talks about taking 

the work down. Unfortunately, those further talks did not happen, and that weekend the 

photograph was removed. “It feels really crappy to have your work taken down,” said Kha, 

“The piece, the first print, was destroyed. It was on vinyl. There was a reason why I asked 

to be told if it was going to be removed. There was a way to save it in some way.” 

Soon, supporters of the piece began to speak out and a campaign in favor of returning 

Kha’s art grew across social media. Kha says, “I guess people were expecting me to say 

something publicly. So I ended up posting on Instagram about my work being taken 

down.” The UrbanArts Commission also posted on Instagram in favor of reinstalling the 



To be creative, to 

create, are almost 

synonymous 

to being an 

archivist, activist, 

historian, artist, 

archaeologist, 

hunter, gatherer, 

an exorcist, a 

medium. 

piece. Within two days, the piece was reprinted and reinstalled. 

At the time of the incident, Kha was more concerned with the attention taken away 

from the other 60-plus artists in the show. He said, “I think it's important to walk through 

and appreciate the work of all types of people, each artist representing a bit of that. 

That's what I choose to focus on.” 

Kha also felt that if people had looked into the context of his work and of that piece, 

they would realize that it was very much in keeping with the body of his other work and 

his interest in Elvis, as well as Elvis tribute artists. 

Kha spent most of the following months taking a break from social media. He was 

exhausted by the controversy and by people contacting him about it. “On one hand it 

worked out for me, but I don't want people to see just that it worked out for me, but how 

do we prevent this from happening again?” 

There is some history in Memphis of controversy around public art, like Birdcap’s 

2016 mural as part of the Memphis Heritage Trail project in collaboration with artist 

Derrick Dent. Located on the side of the downtown Memphis MLGW building, 

Birdcap, also known as Michael Roy’s mural, received criticism for “Black Lives Matter 

affiliations” and was in danger of being removed by the city of Memphis if not for 

significant backlash on social media. Kha wants there to be a safety net to prevent this 

kind of controversy from resulting in censorship. He looks forward to workshops with 

public art directors and lawyers in the arts, and to have workshops about professional 

development and handling contracts. “I’m thinking of small gestures trying to redirect 

the conversation in more productive ways,” said Kha. 

Kha says that the unwanted attention also detracted from Tennessee passing anti-trans 

bills and other important topics during the time of the art controversy. “Those are real 

conversations and real policies that I feel are urgently important to talk about: gun safety, 

how not to be fearful, how do you heal as a community, talk about difficult things without 

apprehension, without being yelled at. That's what I think we are capable of. And I think I 

want to say that the community response to the airport controversy was one of the most 

beautiful things. I think what Memphis does affects the country, that coming together not 

just in support, but that interaction, and just the togetherness, that community in action. 

Yeah, I really hope that for others. I hope that other people feel that and receive that.” 

all photos courtesy of Tommy Kha 


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arts+entertainment 

Queer as 

in Black 

Creativity 

Shorin, TONE Programming Director 

photo by Anthony Lorenzo 

by Focus Team 

This Black History Month, LGBTQ artists and advocates 

celebrate Memphis creativity with art, defiance, and 

prioritizing wellness. Queer up your Black History 

Month with these three local events that highlight Black 

LGBTQ artists, joy and vastness with purpose and so 

much intention. 

Thang Nguyen by Anthony Lorenzo 

What's Your 

Favorite Color 

at TONE 

TONE is rooted in Black art and community. 

Born in Orange Mound, the first Black 

community built solely by and for Black people, 

this Memphis arts organization has celebrated 

local art, music and community since 2015. 

TONE’s new show continues its tradition of 

highlighting Black artists in its pro-Black, 

queer-inclusive gallery space. 

The gallery opens February 5, 4-7pm at 

TONE Gallery in Orange Mound, 2234 

Lamar Ave, Memphis, TN 38114. Head to 

tonememphis.org or follow @tonememphis 

on Instagram for updates. 

Paul’s portrait by Anthony Lorenzo 

Self portraits by Anthony Lorenzo 


Self portrait, Joi Purvy - Defy 

curator and Arrow Creative Program 

Coordinator, courtesy Joi Purvy 

DEFY 

at Arrow Creative 

Creative arts district, Arrow, is hosting a Black 

History Month gallery called DEFY. 

DEFY explores Black joy as resistance and 

offers artists ample space and safety to express 

that. In its opening night, defiance takes on 

many different mediums from paintings, 

photography, live poetry readings and more— 

featuring queer artists like photographer 

Anthony Lorenzo and multidisciplinary artist 

Tangela Mathis. 

DEFY’s opening show is February 8 at 

5:30pm at Arrow Creative in Midtown, 653 

Philadelphia St, Memphis, TN 38104. Follow 

@memphisarrowcreative on Instagram or 

check or arrowcreative.org for updates. 

Interior shots of Arrow Creative 

photo by Erica Haskett 

Cooper Community Center 

photo courtesy of OUTMemphis 

Black History Month 

Wellness Fair 

at OUTMemphis 

Black queer creativity requires rest for 

resistance, and prioritizing mental health. This 

Black History Month, nonprofit OUTMemphis 

plans to help fulfill that need with a fair focused 

on Black LGBTQ health, highlighting Blackowned 

businesses and organizations with a 

specific focus on wellness and wellbeing. 

Black History Month Wellness Fair February 

22, 3:30-7:30PM, location TBA. Follow 

OUTMemphis on Instagram or check out their 

website outmemphis.org for updates. 

The Metamorphosis Project Building 

photo courtesy of OUTMemphis 

Want to be featured in our print or digital magazine? 

Fill out the form in our Instagram bio at @focusmidsouth, 

or send an email to editor@focuslgbt.com. We want to 

hear from you! 


community 

It’s Funny You 

Mention That 

Bluff City Liars' founder Zephyr McAninch talks 

improv, theatre and community 

by William Smythe 

I first met Zephyr McAninch in a writing group created by a mutual friend of ours. During 

the middle of the pandemic, most of us creative-minded folk sought a way to stay creative 

outside of work. I had published some poetry in a few online spaces and performed at 

open mics, sure. But I had been nervous about joining the group since I was new to the 

writing world of Memphis. Never had someone in my field affirmed that I belonged here, in 

this creative space, until Zephyr. 

If I remember correctly, I had said something out loud about my nervousness. Zephyr 

McAninch quickly responded, "Oh, are we supposed to be big deals? No one told me. I 

would have worn something fancier." 

Their joke immediately eased all the tension I might have felt among my peers. I felt 

welcomed and embraced and I think that’s something that makes any creative circle work 

well—when it makes you feel welcomed right away. I feel the same way at Zephyr's improv 

shows with their troupe, The Bluff City Liars. 

Each show I attended was majestically performed and riotously funny. In one of their 

Christmas shows, the entire troupe acted out a tree decorating scene using all audience 

suggestions. I remember suggesting the troupe build a tree, something I used to do with 

my grandfather. In my head, I meant building a store-bought fake spruce. Zephyr took my 

ideas in another direction: woodworking. They began to mime a workbench and all the 

necessary tools. Zephyr then pretended to fashion some strange shape cobbled together 

by awkward blocks where the tree was too tall for one spot and too short for the other. 

It was magical seeing my suggestion masterfully molded into something unexpected by 

another person’s creative mind. 

But, I digress. Let’s let Zephyr McAninch explain the real magic of improv themselves. 


Left: Zephyr McAninch. Center: a performance featuring ‘Heels,’ Right: a general shot of the show. Background: Zephyr while they MC. 

Theater is definitely queer, for sure. Here's a 

space where you can be anyone or anything 

you want, and everyone is there to witness it 

with you in a positive environment. 

What got you into improv? 

I guess I just can’t stop 

thinking of quips. No, but, 

honestly, I watched a lot of 

Whose Line Is it Anyway 

when I was younger. I 

especially loved watching 

Ryan Stiles. His quick wit 

made it look so effortless 

you start to think you 

can do it, too. In college, I 

auditioned for an improv 

troupe and joined thinking it 

could be a fun hobby. Then 

when I started learning 

about the craft and theory 

of it, I ended up taking it 

seriously. It became really 

special to me. 

Something that I 

appreciate about improv is 

that it's all happening right 

now, in the moment. Sure, 

you can record a sketch, or 

write a joke. But improv has 

a special intimacy, for the 

audience and yourself. The 

idea that you’re creating a 

moment that only exists for 

the both of you right then, 

and then it’s gone forever. 

The ephemerality of it can 

be beautiful, but it can also 

be a little tragic. 

God, I have to agree with 

you there. Although, I 

suppose it has been difficult 

running a troupe, too? 

It was much easier in 

college since everyone 

was all in the same space 

essentially, with fewer 

responsibilities. It's gotten 

harder in adulthood now 

that life gets in the way. 

But, once people get 

here [Zephyr’s house], it 

does become effortless 

again. Of course, it needs 

to be worth their time, so 

another issue is making 

sure we’re doing exercises 

that are accessible but 

challenging. You want 

people to enjoy what 

they’re doing, but take 

something meaningful 

away from it. And another 

struggle is that when one 

person leaves, sometimes 

it can be like losing a loadbearing 

wall. The group 

dynamic is unique to the 

players present. There’s a 

saying, “Acting is reacting.” 

You have to react to 

what the people on stage 

with you give you in that 

moment, and you’ve got to 

trust each other implicitly. 

So any changes to that 

camaraderie can usually 

be felt. 

Why do you think the 

theater is so popular 

among queer people? Is it 

because it’s a space where 

you can express yourself 

much more fully? 

Theater is definitely queer, 

for sure. And I suppose 

improv can serve as neutral 

ground for people to act 

queer. It has a nice fluidity 

to it. In that regard, I 

suppose it can be attractive 

to queer folks who feel 

marginalized for who they 

are, and then, well, here's 

a space where you can be 

anyone or anything you 

want, and everyone is there 

to witness it with you in a 

positive environment. That 

aspect can certainly be 

alluring. 

Catch the Bluff City 

Liars show “Love Dies” 

on Friday, February 2 and 

Saturday, February 3 at 

8pm at TheatreWorks in 

Overton Square. Follow 

@bluffcityliars for more 

show updates! 


life 

Minnassa Wellness 

HOROSCOPES 

Psychic intuitive, Minnassa Gabon, shares her 

astrology readings to jump start your 2024 


CAPRICORN - DEC 22, 2023 - JAN 20, 2024 

Element: Earth 

Quality: Cardinal 

Ruling Planet: Saturn 

Traits: Ambitious, practical, persistent, 

and sensitive #overachievers 

New Moon in Capricorn: 

January 11, 2024 

AQUARIUS - JAN 21 - FEB 19, 2024 

Element: Air 

Quality: Fixed 

Ruling Planet: Uranus 

Traits: Progressive, independent, 

intelligent, and idealistic #crazyaquarius 

New Moon in Aquarius: 

February 9, 2024 

CREATIVITY 

TAP INTO YOUR INNER AQUARIUS 

Happy New Year! This year tap into the creativity of your inner Aquarius. Don’t join a gym to lose 

weight (again). Follow your crazy Aquarius self and take a pole, burlesque, or ecstatic dance class. Don’t 

go on a diet (again). Allow your Aquarius side to lead you to the international aisle and/or the international 

market and give your palate some new and exotic meals. 2024 is an 8 year which corresponds to the 

Strength tarot card. Allow your inner strength to guide you into new and creative ways to be, move, and 

groove this year. 

MINNASSA WELLNESS Mindfulness in the Workplace 

@MinnassaWellness Subscribe to my YouTube Channel 


ASTROLOGY FOR ALL SIGNS 

ARIES 

(Fire-Cardinal) 

You are usually a go-getter. However, use these 

opening months of 2024 to set your long term 

vision—5/10/15 year plan. Dream Big! 

TAURUS 

(Earth-Fixed) 

Get your mind on your money and your money on 

your mind. Use these early months of the year to get 

focused on your money, wealth, and prosperity. 

GEMINI 

(Air-Mutable) 

This year, drop living up to others’ expectations. Let it go. 

This is the year you stop running yourself into the ground. 

Self care is your mode for the beginning of 2024! 

CANCER 

(Water-Cardinal) 

Level up your connection to your emotions. Your 

feelings are your superpowers! Step in the flow of your 

feelings and allow them to guide you outside of your 

comfort zone. 

LEO 

(Fire-Fixed) 

Stop doing too much. Put down your burdens! Spend 

these first two months of the year connecting to your 

inner fire–burn away what no longer serves you and 

move forward with verve! 

VIRGO 

(Earth-Mutable) 

Time to level up financially. Get out of your head and 

into the game of life. Take the horse by the reins and 

move forward. You don’t have to know the full path to 

begin moving forward. 

LIBRA 

(Air-Cardinal) 

You have the power to stop working against your best 

interest. It’s simple dear Libra; a change of perspective 

and direction will set you on the right path. . 

SCORPIO 

(Water-Fixed) 

You still have options. Change your focus from what 

did not work, and look for those places and spaces 

where things went well; move forward from this space. 

SAGITTARIUS 

(Fire-Mutable) 

Stand your ground. You are on the right path. Don’t 

allow challenges, changes, and other people’s 

opinions to throw you off your path. 

CAPRICORN 

(Earth-Cardinal) 

During your season, position yourself to increase your 

abundance. It may mean moving away, or changing 

jobs. Make your next move with confidence. 

AQUARIUS 

(Air-Fixed) 

Step out of the cage you have put yourself in. Give 

yourself the birthday gift of freedom. Now is the time 

to drop the pretense and set yourself free! 

PISCES 

(Water-Mutable) 

It’s ok to remember the past fondly, just don’t get 

stuck there. Stand in this present moment, and smell 

the roses. The path is clear and bright. Move forward! 

Mindfulness in the Workplace 

@MinnassaWellness 

* These horoscopes are for entertainment and inspirational purposes only. 

 


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People across Memphis and Shelby County continue to 

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2024 Issue 1 Jan/Feb Focus - Mid-South Magazine

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