Black trans multimedia artist Kamil Oshundara will discuss the importance of empowering and healing oneself while transitioning, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Our House Center in Jacobs Hall, room 116 on the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Petaluma campus.

Oshundara’s work analyzes horror, sci-fi and fantasy to uplift the representation of indigenous African traditions and re-imagine queerness through the perspective of such cultural customs. Oshundara also practices the Yoruba life tradition and has served as a Shango priest for more than seven years. 

At the event, “Trans Timelines: On Taking Up Space and Navigating Life Transitions with Kamil Oshundara,” Oshundara will  offer a visual presentation about their experiences with gender-affirming care, and also handling loss and spirituality as a non-binary artist. They will  provide helpful proverbs and practices for interacting with family members while transitioning.   

A Q&A session will follow the presentation, and Oshundara plans to make an offering and  public prayer to honor trans-cestors, vulnerable queer youth and queer lives lost to state violence. 

Ri Bussey, Queer Resource student services coordinator, spoke about the importance of inviting someone like Oshundara to campus. “I thought it would be important to have someone who is trans speak about their experience in transitioning, including challenges they may have experienced,” Bussey said. “As you know, there have been constant attacks on queer and trans folks over the last few months with many anti-LGBT laws being passed.  I wanted someone that could offer up some hope and resources to our students.” 

Bussey has additional events planned, including a Halloween-themed queer horror movie get-together on Oct. 30, a hike and picnic community lunch on Nov. 17 and a planned Friendsgiving.

“A lot of times the holidays can be very difficult and stressful for LGBTQ+ folks, especially if their families don’t accept them,” Bussy said. “So I figured this would be a nice way for us to get together and mingle, enjoy food and celebrate [with] each other.”  

Oshundara’s event will be in-person but a Zoom option will also be available upon request. The link to register for the event can be found here. You can find Kamil Oshundara on Instagram at @k6mil.