SPEAKING OUT
Almass Badat
Her campaign:
To create a community and educate others on LGBTQ+ rights and intersectionality, including anti-racist movements and being a queer Muslim woman. She is a DJ and filmmaker, and has launched a podcast called What Is This Behaviour?
How it came about:
“I’ve always found that my “activism” is just being active and honest about who I am and what I am doing. I grew up in Zambia and then London, and have always been surrounded by so many other cultures. I am also queer and Muslim, and wanted to showcase that with the art I produce. I really value having conversations.”
What she’s achieved so far:
Alongside raising up other voices in her community through her podcast (which she co-hosts with Reuben and Aaron Christian), she shines a spotlight on South Asian creatives who’ve “gone against the grain” to pursue their dreams. “I’ve found so much value in sharing stories and offering a listening ear. I also love sharing with our listeners that being South Asian is an umbrella for so many identities – our culture really depends on geography, religion, history, politics and more, and is expressed through dress, food, language, tradition… we’re all really different.”
Top tips for getting involved?
“When you’re speaking out and educating people, not everyone will agree with you. It can be really scary when lots of people are coming after you online – but learn to tell the difference between trolls and actual criticism that might be worth taking on board. Understand your privilege, know yourself and operate from that point with kindness.”