Nadia G. is an artist/musician/poet living in Chicago, originally from western MA. Currently she works as a freelancer doing props for TV and film. She is a founding member of the Chicago based post-punk band Ganser. She uses her writing to help develop lyrics and sort her head out. You can find Ganser’s music at www.ganser.bandcamp.com Her work has been published by Whisper and the Roar, Sudden Denouement and collaboratively in the music produced by Ganser.

How does being a bi musician and working in the music scene influence the kind of music you make?

My work can only ever come from my perspective so in that way it will always be inherently queer (among other things). As a group, our work in GANSER is often introspective so we aren’t typically trying to convey any messages outside of communication with our audience “this is how we feel, maybe you can relate”. That said, I do feel it is important for me to be open about who I am, I don’t hide that I’m queer and I actively try to engage with other queer artists. Community is vital.

-Your poem in SMITTEN was excellent, why did you choose this particular poem and what did you hope it would convey to readers?

(thank you!)

‘Summer 2018’ was a snapshot into a moment in my life when I was experiencing a lot of struggle figuring out how to access my feelings in relationships. I was trying to address feelings of mid-summer loneliness by reaching outward when I probably should have been looking within myself. It’s a piece tied to a time and place I wanted to remember.

-What does it mean to you to be part of something like SMITTEN and have your work alongside other women who love women? 

When contributing was first suggested to me, I was hesitant to submit work. I wondered if my voice truly belonged in this anthology. As a queer woman who has had more relationships with men than women I often question my own legitimacy in the community. I have to continuously remind myself that my relationships with men do not negate who I am as a queer person and I know this is a shared feeling among queer/ bi identifying people. Submitting to be a part of Smitten felt like a rebellion against that internal doubt, whether or not my work was chosen I was glad to have tried.

-Do you feel the lesbian/bi voice was lost or co-opted by the larger LGBTQ movement and if so, do projects like this help change that?  

I feel that because of the historical disregard for women’s voices male voices are often heard louder in general. It’s not surprising that the gay male experience is often the story we hear while women of the community tend to be a little bit of an afterthought and that’s not even taking into account how race (and other “differences”) comes into play here as with all aspects of society. We typically hear the stories of cis white men first. Not to say their stories are not important but because of the nature of how things are I do think it is necessary to create space for other voices to be heard. It would be lovely if we didn’t need to highlight certain groups like this, if everyone was presented at the same volume and given equal space, however, that is not the world we live in.

-My own 5 cents-

I have fallen deeply in love with women in my life, so much so that the line between friendship and romantic interest often blurs for me. It can be beautifully confusing as relationships develop and crushingly heartbreaking when they dissolve or hit conflict. There is something profound in the way women can relate to each other, a depth and richness that deserves exploration beyond sexual interactions or “the male gaze”.  —

SMITTEN is coming out late October, 2019 via all good book stores. Published by Indie Blu(e) www.indieblu.net

Please consider supporting this project of over 120+ talented poets and authors by purchasing a copy of SMITTEN for someone who appreciates beautiful poetry. https://www.facebook.com/SMITTENwomen/

2 Replies to “Poets of SMITTEN Speak: Nadia G”

  1. Reblogged this on cabbagesandkings524 and commented:
    SMITTEN poet (and more), Nadia G. – “I feel that because of the historical disregard for women’s voices male voices are often heard louder in general. It’s not surprising that the gay male experience is often the story we hear while women of the community tend to be a little bit of an afterthought”

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