Rhodri, aka Queerwulf
Tell us about Queerwulf.
Queerwulf is one manifestation of the nonhuman side of my identity. They are a stanky, growly, cuddly feral being, who inhabits the leaf mould and soggy moss- filled crevices. I feel a deep affinity with the beastly and the grotesque aspects of my body and soul that Queerwulf represents. I feel compelled to highlight the presence of the wild and monstrous in all human behaviour, which are the bits I feel greatest love for. This may well stem from having a hairy, curvy body which led to a lot of reactions of disgust from people as I was growing up — being a werewolf was the only way I could make sense of my moonaddled moodiness and thick covering of fur. I’ve always experienced my body as more creature than human.
What power does spirituality have in the modern world?
Conversation, connection and community are the antidotes to oppression — so extend this to the non- human world. This is the deep relevance of magical practice to the queer and feminist movements; it allows us to shortcircuit the patriarchal systems of knowledge and relationship that surround us, and instead forge new and direct contact with our individual, social and ecological potential.
It’s also why it is so important that we start experimenting with and developing our own magic rather than rehashing old white men’s hunger for power or appropriating other cultures’ rich heritage. Developing our own magic is the beginning of culture, knowledge and society.
How did spirituality help you through your HIV/ Aids diagnosis?
I was a 25- year- old atheist when I was diagnosed with HIV in 1990. It was the journey I undertook to prepare myself for an early death that opened up my inner vision and brought me to spirituality.
I lived with full- blown Aids for three years — the internal connection I opened up to the spirit world helped keep my mind positive during this time, and I believe it helped keep me alive.
What does it mean to be a radical faerie?
Radical Faeries are celebrating 40 years since first gathering in Arizona in 1979. The first Eurofaerie gathering was in 1995 and we have been holding gatherings in the UK since 2006. There is no single definition of faerie, but to my mind it is a movement of queer people exploring our talents, gifts and a connection to our core nature — a space for us to grow as healers, artists, priestesses of the spirit worlds, and where we can explore a heart- centred queer community that’s rooted in nature.
What is the meaning of life?
There are various answers I could offer here, but what I want to say is that the encouragement to look within oneself for meaning is seriously lacking in modern culture, and it is a thing that gay culture could embrace. Once I dropped my closed, atheistic mind set and started seeking, the universe flooded me with answers and incredible experiences. Historically, gay men, trans people and lesbians have had associations with mystery schools, pagan temples and witchcraft but this is often missed and misunderstood when recounting our story.