“What do they know about colors?

What do they know about Queens?”

Child, what could I say to you
so that you would understand?

This is and is not for you.
Now you say you're lonely.

You've cried the whole night through.
You are invited, of course, but

make no mistake: this house is our house,
not yours. A family is a hierarchy,

a house of strength and knowledge, past and present.
You think you know something? Do you

Pictured: Randy Ford; photo by Andrew Russell

City Arts' Gemma Wilson on HOUSE OF DINAH:

For a lot of queer black people, living is surviving. House of Dinah shows the ways five black Queens are taught or have been taught to own their survival story and speak truth to it. As a queer, non-black person of color, it was an honor to be let in to the sacred space.

A smattering of thoughts during and after House of Dinah: 

—

Tough love is necessary. Silence is golden. Don’t let anyone see you cry.

Pictured: Brace Evans, Kathya Alexander, Adé Cônnére; photo by Naomi Ishisaka