Journey Series: HOECULTURE

Art credit: @babydragonborn

Art credit: @babydragonborn

The Femme Oasis: How do you identify yourself (gender and gender performance)?

HoeCulture: Female, my pronouns are she/they. Gender performance: very feminine, mostly through my clothes. I love really feminine clothes with bits of masculine pieces, men’s T-shirts, sneakers.

TFO: What is your current occupation?

HC: I’m a full-time student and I work retail.

TFO: What do you do as a hobby?

HC: Masturbating, cooking, writing, binge-watching whatever show I’m obsessed with at the moment, going to the movies, and of course being on twitter.

TFO: What are some organizations you’re involved in?

HC: I just relocated to Detroit from Chicago, so none at the moment. But I’m in the application process of becoming a volunteer for Planned Parenthood.

TFO: What is your dream job?

HC: Depending on the time of day you ask me I would give you a different answer. I’m constantly changing my mind. But I do know that I want to do something creative and in the arts.

TFO: What are the three major stressors in your life?

HC: My depression, family, and school.

TFO: How do you cope with your stresses (if at all)?

HC: I’m still trying to work on handling stress because I’m horrible when it comes to it. But I learned to calm down, make a list and work on what is stressing me out little by little.

TFO: Do you have goals you set for your life overall?

HC: Yes and no. I have short-term goals, that eventually add up to one big goal here and there. Long-term goals make me nervous and stressed.

TFO: What is your process in achieving these goals?

HC: Figuring out a plan, prioritize, and organizing what I need to do.

TFO: What is your daily mantra (if you have one)?

HC: “My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinions” –Eartha Kitt. “You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love” –Warsan Shire ‘For Women Who Are Difficult to Love.’

TFO: Are you happy where you are in life?

HC: I have my days. Some days I am, some days I’m not.

TFO: If not, would you say you’re unhappy, or just not completely satisfied because you want better/more?

HC: I’m not satisfied sometimes because I feel as if I could be doing more, not doing enough or just not good enough.

TFO: Are you on a path you feel is right for you?

HC: Yes.

TFO: Do you feel confused or pressure to figure out if you are on the right path?

HC: It has taken me awhile to become comfortable with my pace and path. I always compared my journey to others and that was a bad idea. I've learned to love my process.

TFO: What are some pressures of society you wish didn’t exist?

HC: I’m a sexually liberated fat black woman. I wish the pressures of having to be thin didn't exist, having to uphold a certain standard of beauty as a black woman I also wish didn't exist, then the pressure that women/femmes face when it comes to censoring our sexuality.

TFO: What would be one thing you don’t have but you want at this very moment (it can be tangible or intangible)?

HC: I want a new tube of lipstick and a piece of cheesecake right now.

TFO: What do you do for self-care (if anything)?

HC: It's going to sound bizarre but I love coloring. It's so peaceful for me I put my headphones in and turn on Solange and I'm content. Masturbating is a big part of my self-care I try masturbating at least once or twice a day, highly recommend it. Buying something for myself whether it's something super small as a chocolate bar or a bigger purchase like a new outfit  I make an effort to reward myself. And lastly eating, food can change your mood so yeah I might buy my favorite dessert, or cook a meal that I love.

TFO: What is something you do well that you can offer society?

HC: I think speaking up for people who afraid to speak up for themselves. Reassuring people that they aren't alone and that they are loved.

TFO: Do you have goods or services you want to sell or promote to your fellow femmes and women?

HC: I want to promote the amazing sex workers that I follow and the ones that follow me on twitter. I can't list them all but I want to encourage women and femmes to give your money to sex workers especially trans sex workers and sex workers of color. They have taught me so much and I love them.

TFO: Where can we find you (social media, email, organization etc.)?

HC: Twitter - @blackBDSM. Tumblr- hoeeculture. If you're looking for my email message me on twitter.