#LimitlessAfricans: Aru, Queer Congolese (Shot in Brussels, Belgium)Q. How do you think your style i

#LimitlessAfricans: Aru, Queer Congolese (Shot in Brussels, Belgium)Q. How do you think your style incorporates/blends elements of your African and LGBTQ identity? “When I think of my identity as an African I mainly think of my skin colour, and the people I interact with that add to my self-growth and character. When I dress I don’t dress to get identified, its usually my speaking that does it for me, and it’s usually within the first encounter of speaking to me people will realise I’m a pro black, queer pan Africanist. When I think of my identity as a queer lesbian I suppose my style being more masculine expressive conflicts with how perceived traditional African women are “supposed” to dress like. Colourful dresses. The main people bothered with my style are the elder generation when I’m parading in baggy jeans and have my tattoos and piercings on show. Though, If I were to pin down a clothing style that blends in elements of my African identity I’d have to say when I wear my head wrap it brings an element of pride. Traditional clothing have images with patterns that tell stories, and these head wraps remind me of my father and how he would always want us (my siblings and I) to wear our traditional head wraps and attire. So when I wear my head wrap to an event it is because on that day I really feel that element of pride and beauty. I feel proud every day but we all have those days where memories or events really trigger a deep emotional tie to your roots, especially as an African Diaspora we long to find some relation or connection to our culture and historical past, whilst ensuring we create our own identity. All whilst respectfully trying to refute traditional African mindsets in my case in regards to LGBTQ being unafrican.”- Aru (they/them)Website: www.limitlessafricans.comDonate: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=48VSXUG4RBZVG -- source link

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