With thanks to Drew Demetry and Etaf

 

On August 10th, 2024, Counterpoints is thrilled to partner with NAFS on our upcoming event at the Southbank Centre, showcasing the extraordinary talents of queer artists from the South West Asian and North African (SWANA) communities. This collaboration is more than just a celebration of art and culture; it’s a powerful response to the ongoing challenges faced by queer SWANA individuals and an act of resistance against pinkwashing.

Introducing NAFS: A Space for Queer SWANA Creatives

Founded by Drew Demetry, NAFS is a platform dedicated to exploring the queer SWANA experience through art, music, and performance. The organisation emerged from a desire to create spaces where the unique experiences and identities of queer individuals from the SWANA region could be authentically expressed.

“NAFS was born out of a need to carve out a space for the community; unfiltered and unapologetic,” says Drew Demetry. “In a world where queer narratives are often dominated by Western perspectives, it’s crucial for us to create and curate our own stories, rooted in our own cultures, languages, and histories.”

NAFS has quickly become a beacon for queer SWANA artists, offering them a platform to share their work and connect with audiences who understand the complexities of intersectionality. By centring the voices of those who are often marginalised even within the broader LGBTQ+ community, NAFS is not just fostering artistic expression but also challenging the monolithic narratives that dominate the mainstream queer discourse.

The Significance of This Event

The upcoming event at the Southbank Centre is not just another showcase; it’s a statement. Through a dynamic program that includes poetry, spoken word, music, and DJ sets, NAFS and Counterpoints are highlighting the vibrant and diverse talent within the queer SWANA community. This event is an opportunity to experience the richness of SWANA culture through a queer lens, offering an alternative to the often one-dimensional portrayals of LGBTQ+ identities in mainstream media.

“Bringing together these artists is an act of defiance,” says Etaf, Head of Music Events at NAFS. “We’re pushing back against pinkwashing, which often reduces queer identities to marketable commodities while ignoring the struggles and systemic oppressions that our communities face. This event is about reclaiming our narratives and celebrating the fullness of our identities.”

Understanding Pinkwashing and Its Impact

Pinkwashing refers to the practice of using LGBTQ+ rights to distract from or justify other injustices, often by corporations or governments. It can manifest in many ways, from companies profiting off Pride merchandise without supporting queer causes to governments promoting LGBTQ+ rights as a way to gloss over human rights abuses.

For the queer SWANA community, pinkwashing is particularly insidious. It often results in the erasure of non-Western queer identities and experiences, reducing complex cultures and struggles to palatable soundbites that fit into a Western-centric narrative of progress. This event is a direct response to that erasure, offering a platform for authentic voices that challenge these reductive narratives.

What to Expect on August 10th

From 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM, the Southbank Centre will be transformed into a hub of queer SWANA creativity. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of artists who will take the stage to share their stories, experiences, and talents. The evening will culminate in a series of DJ sets, turning the celebration into a night of dancing and connection.

This event is not just for the SWANA community but for anyone who values diversity, inclusion, and the power of art to bring about social change. It’s an invitation to witness and support the voices that are often sidelined, to engage with art that challenges and inspires, and to be part of a movement that refuses to be silenced.

As Drew Demetry puts it, “This event is about more than just entertainment. It’s about creating a space where our community can come together, where our art can be seen and heard, and where our stories can be told on our terms.”

We invite you to join us on August 10th to celebrate, connect, and stand in solidarity with queer SWANA artists. Let’s make this a night to remember—a night where every voice counts, and every story matters.

The collaboration with NAFS, We Move with Joy, is presented at Riverside Terrace, Level 2, Southbank Centre. Part of the You Belong Here Counterpoints weekend takeover, in partnership with Southbank Centre.

 

Image credit: Shona Goolab, Etaf at Refugee Week at Yorkton Workshops, June 2024