MEET CANZARA, HIV/AIDS ADVOCATE AND ATLANTA DRAG QUEEN
“Southern. Black. Queer. That’s how I identify,” Zavier Mason, 27, (@canzara_szn) said in an interview with Georgia Voice. Mason, who performs under the pseudonym Canzara, moved to Atlanta in 2017 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology from the University of Alabama.
By day, Mason works as a project coordinator for the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. They spend their days researching behavioral science, educating the public on why barriers to STD testing and safety exist, and resources to circumvent those barriers, which includes access to PrEP.
Their mission to educate and provide access to STD testing and treatment is personal. Zavier is HIV-positive and very open about their status.
“I am very upfront about who I am,” they told Georgia Voice. “Not everyone is as open as me, so I wanted to create a space for other people going through it, especially in Atlanta.”
In Atlanta, one in 51 people “may be infected with HIV/AIDS at any given time,” according to the CDC. On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, the CDC listed Georgia as No. 1 for new cases of HIV/AIDS. In 2020, the CDC reported that over 60,000 Georgians live with HIV. Black people in the South made up 72% of new cases, Latino people made up almost 10%, and white people made up 16%.
Even though HIV/AIDS can be survived if caught early and treated quickly, the health care system in Georgia proves to be ineffective at providing necessary assistance and access to adequate medical care. Gov. Brian Kemp implemented a “work requirement” on the joint federal and state program Medicaid in Nov. 2022, following his reelection. The plan requires individuals to work or volunteer for a minimum of 80 hours per month to access Medicaid. Georgia is the only state in the country with this restriction. Without access to health care, many people are not able to work, which leaves them vulnerable to financial and health problems.
By night, Zavier performs in drag shows across Atlanta, using their platform to educate people on the HIV/AIDS epidemic happening in the South.
When they first moved to Atlanta five years ago, it wasn’t long before they discovered the diverse drag scene that finds a home in Atlanta. On their first outing in drag, they won second place in the 2018 Peach Pit Pageant, hosted by Southern Fried Queer Pride.
“I used the freedom I saw on the drag stage to bring myself up after a few depressive months,” they said. “Instead of building myself up, I built up ‘Canzara.’”
Since then, Canzara has been making waves in the Atlanta drag scene; you may recognize them from the House of ALXNDR (@houseofalxndr).
“My research and my drag are for the same people,” Mason said. Their life is dedicated to supporting and being a part of the vibrant LGBTQ community in Atlanta, which they credit for allowing them to be themselves.
Mason stressed the importance of community for everyone, especially young queer people in the South.
“It takes time to find [community], but I feel that the only reason that I have the strength to be authentic is because there are people in my corner that support me,” they said. “Not to say that it’s not scary, or that people don’t walk away … it just doesn’t matter because I have my community.”
One of their favorite moments in drag was when anti-LGBTQ protestors gathered at the Human Rights Campaign PRIDE Luncheon and Mason took center stage as Canzara and posed in front of the crowd.
“Authenticity is power,” they said of their openness, which has allowed them to help others find the help and resources they need. “Existence is resistance.”
You can follow Canzara on Instagram @ canzara_szn and Tiktok @bottleofrozae.
“What if we didn’t have to settle? What if we didn’t have to hide?
These are some of the questions I allowed to lead my search for a retreat center as a Black, queer, kinky sex worker/witch hosting retreats for folks that look, think, and play like I do. I am out, visible (showed my whole ass, literally, on Netflix) and easily located on Google. The number of times I have been told, after having my deposit refunded, that I am probably not a good fit for their facility affirmed my need to hide who I am to hold space for my community.
Thankfully, I was built for this. My background in non-profit management made me hear an opportunity in a ‘no,’ and after over 15 years of fundraising for communities that are often relegated to the shadows by mainstream society, I understand the need for space very differently than I might if I were privileged differently.
It is in that light that I create and hold space, knowing the way a sense of home affirms and how worthy we are of being affirmed. I know firsthand how much the worry of being outed by those who have enough financial means to build the spaces we need to retreat to can steal away bits of our humanness. No more hiding in the shadows.
Luxury. Comfort. Rest. All of that for all of us.”
“The Atlanta Leather Community is diverse, persistent and evolutionary! We’re not always seen, but ALWAYS PRESENT!”
“I have been in this lifestyle a long time, and I can remember a time when the Black leather community was very underground and hidden. Over the years, I have seen this change more and more. POCs are coming forward and making themselves known through education, visibility in events and contributions and even becoming title holders. I feel this will continue even through adversity as long as we always remember to “Keep LOVE in the Lifestyle!””