Gender Adventure

GENDER ADVENTURE is a community-based zine that aims to DECOLONIZE GENDER. This project is an initiative under Apathy is Boring RISE program, led by a group of 9 Winnipeg youth. Our aim for this zine is to provide a bold space for artists and readers to explore and communicate their gender experience.

1. THE ROAD TO DECOLONIZE GENDER
RISE Winnipeg presents
Featuring work by:
Anna Binder
Alyx Bui
Herlinda Dalayoan
Paula Ethans
Nicole Kaneski
Ang Kiriakos
Katie Kolesar
Leeandra Ladell
Jen de O
Adrian Ponce
Reanna Swan
Garry Tavares
Chukwudubem Ukaigwe
Jérôme Vandal
JUNE 2020
We’re heading on an adventure. Join us. Won’t you?

2. GENDER ADVENTURE is a community-based
zine that aims to DECOLONIZE GENDER. This
project is an initiative under Apathy is
Boring RISE program, led by a group of 9
Winnipeg youth. Our aim for this zine is
to provide a bold space for artists and
readers to explore and communicate their
gender experience.
We, the folks at RISE Winnipeg, thought
that the best way to portray and share
this journey would be through a zine.
Zines are an anti-capitalistic and grass-
roots method of sharing knowledge with
the community.
Gender Adventure aims to create a safe
space that is non-binary and trans-inclu-
sive, accessible, anti-racist, and in-
tersectional. This project provides an
opportunity for ideas and issues related
to gender to be explored and communicat-
ed in a unique and creative space. We
believe coming together and discussing
gender constructs artistically will pro-
mote healing and inspire conscious social
change and empowerment. The Winnipeg RISE
cohort believes in the vision that artis-
tic expression has the power to provoke a
positive transformation in both our com-
munities and within ourselves.
Gender Adventure is located on the orig-
inal lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-
Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on
the homeland of the Métis Nation. We re-
spect the Treaties that were made on these
territories, we acknowledge the harms and
mistakes of the past, and we dedicate
ourselves to move forward in partnership
with Indigenous communities in reconcil-
iation and collaboration.
Editor’s Note
one.
About Us
Gender Adventure
Dear Readers,
We acknowledge that our privileges and
perspectives inform the interpretation
of our theme, Decolonizing Gender, and
the curation of this zine. As we enter
this space, we would like to specifi-
cally acknowledge Indigenous communities
who have been leading the conversation
on decolonization here on Turtle Island.
We also recognize the continuous work of
BlPOC (Black, Indigneous, People of Co-
lour) communities, academics, and activ-
ists. We honour and respect their work.
With this in mind, we are coming from a
place of learning.
Centuries of western ideologies construct
and dominate the world’s perspective of
gender through patriarchy, binary, misog-
yny, heteronormativity, and gender-nor-
mative paradigms. Gender Adventure’s
theme, DECOLONIZING GENDER, aims to de-
construct these societal constraints,
unpack the internal conflicts of gender,
unlearn internalized oppression, reshape
identities, and empower ourselves and
others through the journey of gender.
Decolonizing Gender looks different to
everyone. This may include decolonizing
your mind, narrative, and worldviews.
Through the creation of our zine, we wel-
comed the discomfort and surprises of
this process. We titled our project, Gen-
der Adventure, because we felt that your
relationship with gender is a journey
that should be respected and celebrated.
Everyone is at a different place through-
out their journey, and that is okay.
We reached out to the community to share
their experiences with gender through
art. As you flip through these pages, we
encourage you to ask questions, such as:
Why is gender viewed as binary in our
Western society? What does unlearning
look like to you? How do the complexi-
ties of gender influence your interac-
tions with objects, nature, others, and
yourself?
We invite you to embark on this journey
with us,
- The Zine Committee

3. two.
Untitled, 2018
Chukwudubem Ukaigwe

(he/him)
These pictures are stills from
an experimental performance
film, directed and document-
ed by Chukwudubem Ukaigwe. The
artist invited nine black men
who have never ever met each
other to his studio, and in-
structed them to move to the
improvised tune he played on
the piano, and interact with
each other closely.
It took a while for the men
to get comfortable and undress.
Initially, the performers were
stiff and reluctant to make
bodily or eye contact. Slow-
ly, as time went on, the men
finally got comfortable with
touching each other and commu-
nicating with themselves in a
celestial manner.
This performance was conducted
as an experiment. It was a rit-
ualistic experience of learning
and unlearning gender norms,
especially as black men, with
a majority of them growing up
in Africa.
Chukwudubem Ukaigwe is a Ni-
gerian born interdisciplinary
artist based in Treaty 1 Terri-
tory (Canada), consciously uses
a variety of mediums to relay a
plurality of ideas at any giv-
en time. He views his art as a
conversation, or a portal into
one, and in some instances, as
an interpretation of this on-
going exchange. Chukwudubem
weighs an occurrence, feeling,
or idea on a scale and then
creates a narrative in his own
language.
Instagram: @chukwudubemukaigwe 
Twitter: @dubeim

4. three.
waves
Jen de O
(they/them)
The poem is about
identity and pro-
nouns and the self.
Being able to call
Winnipeg my home
for the past 5 years
has been integral in
my self discovery
journey and I’m be-
yond ecstatic to be
able to share some
of my art here with
all of you! You can
find me @jen.de.o
on Instagram, let’s
chat about life and
queer anything!
Face It
Herlinda Dalayoan

(she/her)
We associate faces with
everything. The clothes
we wear are a medium that
allows us to express our-
selves authentically but
to associate clothing
with genders limits the
opportunities. Once you
take away the faces, it’s
just material. It now be-
comes something neutral,
genderless, and limit-
less. Allow yourself to
look past the barriers
and see it for its true
potential.
I chose to reference 90s
and 2000s fashion as it’s
something I take inspi-
ration from. Some of the
clothing from this time
is so relevant in today’s
modern culture that it’s
uncanny. Though the 90s
was before my time, the
clothing staples were so
versatile that it seam-
lessly swayed between the
lines of gender back then
and especially today.
In my art, I gravitate
towards abstracting re-
ality as I discover more
within my art and life.
The youthful vibrancy in
my art is a collaboration
of materials. I combine
my passions for music,
video and poetry with the
diverse range of mediums
I practice in my art. I
experiment with this to
interpret my thoughts and
expressions as I use the
platform to share an un-
derstanding of my per-
spective as a youth to-
day.
Instagram: @h0dln
think of it as simple
not a riddle
who and what i am and feel
queer steel
all over
i’m me
just me
linguistic label maker
us them
she he
you me
gender my acquaintance
rigid sentence
she shows up unannounced
shoves me underground
he makes a suggestion
not the right direction
they try their best
still
not addressed
forget the debris
i’m me
just me

5. four.
I learn a lot at school, like how you can change your name.
Like how after she got married, Ms. H became Ms. J.
Ma says that you can change your name, when you fall in love for life. Since
that is what she did with hers, when she became Pa’s wife.
Ms. A’s not getting married, but they’re changing their name too.
Were a Ms. but now a Mr… I don’t know what that will do?
I asked my Aunt if Mr. A will change in other ways?
All my Aunty could promise was it wouldn’t change my grades.
My cousin said that she thinks that Mr. A might get cooties.
My Aunty laughed so loudly that she could barely breathe.
When I came home I saw my cats. Tom’s orange, and Kit is brown.
If you aren’t careful they’ll eat whatever falls on the ground.
My brother said the difference is, “boys don’t wear dresses, skirts, or pink.”
I tested that on Tom and Kit, but still don’t know what to think?
So I asked Pa what it means, to be a man, in his mind?
My Pa said that he thinks, “all that it takes is to be kind.”
I tried but still don’t understand, so I told Mr. A.
He said, “So long you call me that, not knowing is okay.”
I still don’t get the difference between a Mr. or a Ms.
But Mr. A is still the teacher that I call one of my favourites.
A Mr. Or A Ms.
Anna Binder

(she/her/any pronouns)
This poem is an invitation to be curious. An invitation to question what gender means
to you, and to explore how your understanding might be different from someone else’s.
I want to encourage exploration where you want it and acceptance even when you don’t
understand.
Anna Binder is a queer actor and writer. Her experiences with disability and queer-
ness have both shaped her opinions on gender. Namely; questions might be welcomed, but
straight answers are hard to find.
Twitter/TikTok/Youtube: @msingwu
Gender Adventure

6. five.
Untitled
Jérôme Vandal

(he/him)
His self portraits explore the themes
of gender, sexuality, and fashion, of-
ten using black and white imagery as well
as deep saturated colours. Vandal aims
to subvert colonial gender expectations
while exploring the artistic possibili-
ties of photoshop and photo editing.
Jérôme Vandal is a 22 year old queer, Mé-
tis artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Instagram: @winnipeg_goldeyes

7. six.
In the garden, I weep
Adrian Ponce

(he/him)
“In the garden, I weep” is about my first
experiences with a boy and the true strug-
gle of not moving on because of the lack of
closure. Being queer and Asian, I didn’t
get to fully experience romance and in-
timacy like my straight friends. Having
it been my first experience with love, it
helped me feel truly secure in my body. As
well, it taught me that I am emotionally
capable of love and got rid of my fear of
intimacy.
Adrian Ponce is a Queer person of colour
trying to navigate his emotions and expe-
riences through written word
Personal Instagram: @adrianp0nce
Poetry Instagram: @papersoul.co
The smell of a feeling unexplainable
Transported to a garden untended in a lifetime
Only cared for in the moments of pleasure and
lust
A pulse present but barely there
Finding comfort in the heart of one but not the
other
The sound of your name is a song that pulls a
trigger
Sending every cell in my body to come back to
life again
You are with me when I sleep
We are content
The birds are flying home
Singing the song we wrote
The garden bloom again
But you disappear
Creating a path of destruction that I have no
choice but to walk on
With my hands and knees
Saneish Middle Class Asians
Alyx Bui

(they/them)
When a young Asian queer enters a unique
tarot reading that examines their past
and present journey with a secret love
interest through Asian folklore, they
must grapple with the revealed choices
and subconscious fore warnings, in or-
der to move forward with their uncer-
tain future.
Lisa Alyx Bui (they/them) is a Edmon-
ton based director, writer and activist
whose stories expand narratives diver-
gent from the mainstream, centering the
representation of QTBIPOC folx - their
stories, their faces, their struggles
and joys- and explores the intersec-
tions of systems, identity and culture.
Instagram:
@daredevilalyx
<- Watch the film here!
Gender Adventure

8. seven.

9. eight.
Untitled, 2018
Reanna Swan

(she/her)
These photographs are of my partner and myself. We took these in a photoshoot at the begin-
ning of our relationship when we were talking a lot about who we are and what we need. One
major factor was the ability for us to be open minded towards our human nature. That we may
feel differently about ourselves as we navigate young adulthood and grow into each other.
We might find that aspects of ourselves we were certain about sway and change with the wind,
including gender. Both of us have open minds about what really defines us. Stereotypes have
never made that list. For me, finding identity within photography is so much more than the
glamour of any title. Gender is about expression and truth, whether done up in glitter or
completely bare and exposed. These portraits are representations of one version of us: the
ones that existed that night, and that may never exist again.
Reanna Swan is a young Métis woman and an emerging artist from Winnipeg.
Instagram: @reannaswan

10. Cispool Series, 2020
Leeandra Ladell
(they/she)
Experiences with avoidance from personal gender fluidity. Restrictions from inner and
exterior resulting in discomfort when approaching one’s gender in a given environment.
nine.

11. ten.
Choose Your Contraceptive
Ang Kiriakos
This drawing/collage I did is focused
on the sexual choices females have to
consider, such as contraceptives. With
each contraceptive having a different
side effect depending on the individ-
ual, these ‘options’ can be burdening
and frustrating in order to have safe
pleasure.
Ang Kiriakos is a Toronto based feminist
artist who focuses on sexuality and gen-
der issues by using various mediums such
as fashion, photography, and collages
Instagram: @angkiriakos
tender like the tide
Paula Ethans
(she/her)
Paula Ethans is a cis woman born and
raised on Treaty 1 Territory. She is a
human rights lawyer by day, and a poet,
spoken word artist, and writer by not-
so-late night.
Instagram: @paulaethans
Twitter: @PaulaEthans
when i was done with it all
my final release
when I threw myself into the ocean
the waves rocked me to sleep
the current carried me home
and the tide brought me to shore
as i walked inland
i turned to thank the ocean
she waved back
and said
we are all creatures capable of
destruction
it was easier
tempting
to swallow you whole
but instead
i cradled you
cared for you
took my time with you
returned you
remember that
next time you feel the temptation
the ease
of destruction
cradle yourself.
care for yourself.
return yourself.
- tender like the tide
Gender Adventure

12. eleven.
Through The Grape Vines
Garry Tavares
(he/him)
My name is Garry and I write screenplays.
A Love Letter To My Body Hair
Nicole Kaneski
(they/them)
My piece “A Love Letter To My Body Hair”
is a digital collage exploration of my
relationship and appreciation of my body
hair. As a non binary femme my body hair
is something that is very important to
my gender identity and presentation but
has also been a cause of much anxiety in
my life growing up as a girl.
Nicole Kaneski is a leo sun & moon, cap
rising, white, dyke, chubby, non binary,
femme, witch, residing and studying in
Treaty 1 Territory.
Instagram: @Nicole_Kaneski
Through the grape vines
Bares no sunlight
I’ve been hiding
For a long time
Twisted cage lines
Fruits of all kind
Feeding from the
Rain left behind
Sweet to the eye
Sour inside
Lips will find
I’m bitter for wine
Through the grape vines
Free to the blind
Peel away these
Layers of mine

13. make me blue
Katie Kolesar
(she/her)
The reason I titled this
image “make me blue”
is because my journey
with gender and sexu -
al orientation hasn’t
always been happy and
sunny. I’ve grown up
in a very traditional
Christian home where
religion was pushed on
me from an early age
and even continuing
into adulthood. Grow -
ing up in such an envi-
ronment isn’t great for
anyone, especially one
who’s questioning their
sexuality and having no
idea what to do. Put -
ting up a fight about
wearing jeans and a
“boys” shirt to church,
as opposed to a dress
and jewelry was a very
com mon experience.
Common and extremely
tiring. Although grow -
ing up queer was very
difficult, I do recog -
nize the privilege that
I inherently have com -
ing from a middle class
Caucasian home. My goal
moving forward is to
allow myself to freely
explore my gender and
sexuality without wor -
rying about the opin -
ions of others. Hope -
fully, I’ll be able to
purge myself of all the
internalized misogyny,
homophobia, transpho -
bia, and heteronorma -
tivity that I’ve been
forced to grow up
around.
Turn me yellow instead.
twelve.
My name is Katie, my pronouns are she/her, and I identify as
pansexual. To see more of my work, follow @fragxilephotos on
Instagram.

14. thirteen.
AYO! (Aboriginal Youth Opportunities!)
Website: https://www.ayomovement.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ayomovement/
AYO! aims to empower youth in Winnipeg’s North End through
volunteering,
events, and relationship-building to help and heal their com-
munity.
ArtBeat Studio
Website: http://artbeatstudio.ca/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
ArtBeat Studio provides studio space, community, and oppor-
tunities to those looking to explore the intersections of mental
health, expression, and creativity.
Art City
Website: https://artcityinc.com/
Contract Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Art City is a non-profit art studio that provides free of charge
art programming to people of all ages. They promote self-ex-
pression, community, and accessibility.
Closet Space Market
Website: https://www.facebook.com/closetspacemarket/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Closet Space is an upcycled clothing studio that helps 2-Spirit,
Transgender, Non-Binary and Queer people find affordable,
gender-affirming clothing in a safe, supportive environment.
We also offer gender gear like chest binders, packers, gaffs
and breast forms which you can try on before you buy!
Gender Cafe
Website: https://www.facebook.com/gendercafewpg/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Gender Cafe’s intention is to create a safe space for open
conversation about gender.
Klinic
Website: http://klinic.mb.ca/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Klinic is a charitable, not-for-profit health care centre which
provides health related services, ranging from counselling to
medical care to education.
Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
Website: https://www.mamawi.com/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Ma Mawi is a family resource organization that delivers com-
munity-based programming and services. They aim to support
and rebuild Indigneous families through accountability, trans-
parency, and the effective use of resources.
MARL
(Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties)
Website: http://www.marl.mb.ca/
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
MARL is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that
dedicates itself to raising awareness, making a difference, and
facilitating dialogue about human rights and civil liberties.
Plug-In Institute of Contemporary Art
Website: http://www.plugin.org/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
As one of Canada’s leading contemporary art centres, the Plug
In ICA provides free workshops and resources to encourage
deeper experiential understanding and learning of art.
Rainbow Resource Centre
Website: https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Rainbow Resource Centre offers support, education, and re-
sources for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies.
Studio 393 / Graffiti Art Programming Inc.
Website: https://www.graffitigallery.ca/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone] / [phone]
Studio 393 is a not-for-profit art centre that dedicates itself to
connecting artists and communities through various forms of
art. They organize workshops and exhibits that highlight local
artists.
Sunshine House
Website: https://www.sunshinehousewpg.org/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Sunshine House is a drop-in resource centre that provides
support in social inclusion and harm reduction. They also or-
ganize the “Like That” program where folks are able to explore
gender and/or sexual identity in a safe space.
Teen Talk
Website: http://teentalk.ca
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
Teen Talk provides educational services for youth regarding
topics such as: gender identity, sexuality, health, consent, etc.
West Central Women’s Resource Centre
Website: https://wcwrc.ca/
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Phone Number: [phone]
West Central Women’s Resource Centre is a space for all
women to be supported by providing training, essential ser-
vices and items, and resources.
Resources
Although our zine has come to an end, the conversation continues. If you are looking for
more information and resources on gender, art, and support, check out these community
organizations doing incredible work within the community!
Gender Adventure

15. fourteen.
Thank you to all the artists who have
shared their experiences of gender
with the RISE cohort and the communi-
ty. Sharing personal experiences or re-
flections of the barriers that we face
everyday is a vulnerable journey that
requires great insight into oneself and
we are inspired by your reflection and
creativity. We recognize the immense
emotional labour this journey requires
and appreciate your wisdom and for
trusting us with your work.
Thank you to Sapphire Moroz for the
beautiful cover and for designing the
layout of the zine, we appreciate all
your work transforming our theme and
ideas into a zine.
Thank you to the resource centres, com-
munity support organizations, and our
community partners that have supported
and cared for our community and advo-
cated to decolonize gender. Your work
is fundamental to our community and we
cannot thank you enough for all the
work and support you provide.
Thank you to Apathy is Boring and all
RISE cohorts for your unconditional
support and encouragements. We are al-
ways inspired by your passion for the
community, openness to learn from oth-
ers, and grow. Thank you to the spon-
sors who have generously supported ini-
tiatives created by youth for youth.
Thank you
Winnipeg RISE Coordinator
Johise Namwira
Zine Production
Cameron Armstrong
Soomin Han
Hannah El-Giadaa
Finance
Rita Penner
Clèche Kokolo
Carter Graveline
Marketing
Masimo Picaku
Sunny Trang Pham
Aishwarya Gopalakrishnan
Mentors
Francess Amara
Oyinda Alaka
Rebecca Simiyu
Gender Adventure