Generational Shift
In this interview, Alicia Virani discusses the formation of the Youth Group, which specifically focused on 18-35 year old queer South Asians. This marked the start of Satrang’s meeting the needs of a new generation, many of whom were born in the USA rather than being first generation immigrants, and who have different vocabularies and political leanings. Through bowling outings and annual open conversations, cleverly titled “Chai, Chaat, and Chat,” and marketed through new-at-the-time platforms like Facebook, Satrang fostered a space for this generation. Political events such as Trump’s election in 2016 created a renewed sense of need for safe spaces like these. Alicia later became the board president of Satrang and reinvigorated the organization by reviving their annual gala.
In this interview, Alicia Virani discusses the formation of the Youth Group, which specifically focused on 18-35 year old queer South Asians. This marked the start of Satrang’s meeting the needs of a new generation, many of whom were born in the USA rather than being first generation immigrants, and who have different vocabularies and political leanings. Through bowling outings and annual open conversations, cleverly titled “Chai, Chaat, and Chat,” and marketed through new-at-the-time platforms like Facebook, Satrang fostered a space for this generation. Political events such as Trump’s election in 2016 created a renewed sense of need for safe spaces like these. Alicia later became the board president of Satrang and reinvigorated the organization by reviving their annual gala.
Curators
Aziz Sohail is a Pakistani-born curator and writer whose research and resultant projects honor and recognise the power of queer & feminist collectivity, sociability, joy and wayward encounter. They are currently a PhD Candidate in Curatorial Practice at Monash University, Australia.
Alexis Bard Johnson is the Curator at the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. She oversees the exhibitions, programs, and art collection at one of the largest repositories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer materials in the world. She most recently curated Looking for Lesbians, Six (Linear) Feet and the online exhibition Safer at Home. She holds a PhD in Art History from Stanford University and a BA from Princeton University.