5/9 - the conclave contessa
Friday’s Newsletter: trans joy, zines, and an unwanted dinner party
On Wednesday, I attended an event at Secret Riso Club about how print media has been used in the past to fuel movements and solidarity and how four publishers are leveraging it today.
I loved this quote from Ava, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ebony Tomatoes Collective, about the importance of documenting narratives and voices in print: “If we just live online, all of our stories can be erased.”
It was such an informative event and I felt like I could turn to anyone in the audience and make a friend. I also got to meet a Wishlist subscriber IRL who just happened to sit in my row - hi Vivian!
I loved hearing from the other founders on the panel and you should check out some of their incredible work:
Ebony Tomatoes Collective, “is a literary and arts magazine that publishes what’s personal from a Black, intersectional perspective.”
Acacia, “a political and cultural magazine that brings together writers, thinkers, and artists of the Muslim left to discuss the issues of our time.”
GenderFail, “is Be Oakley's publishing, programming, and archiving platform.”
Shadowbanned, “an independent leftist publication—both online and in print—that amplifies the stories censored, overlooked, and misrepresented by mainstream media.”
Also, I picked up a copy of Third Place Zine, a publication that explores third spaces (duh), design, community, and the art of gathering. As an events girly, you know I need to stay in the know 💕
Speaking of…
I’m hosting a meetup at 16 Handles in Williamsburg on Monday, May 19th, 6 - 7:30 pm!
Thought Starters
Event registration with a side of drone strikes
*article*
I knew they had a bad vibe. Like two years ago, I had the experience I can assume is commonplace on Partiful. A random man wouldn’t stop inviting me to his dinner parties. Eventually, I realized we both RSVPed to an event I had never attended and the loose connection was enough for the app to determine we should be linked forevermore.
On Wednesday, The Cut published an article linking the Partiful CEO to Palantir. When my friend, Jess, shared this Cut article on her stories, I was gobsmacked. Then I reshared on my stories and my friends were equally rattled.
Journalist Cat Zhang first heard about the connection between Partiful and Palantir through this blog post, We Don’t Use Partiful, from event curating site, NYC Noise. There is a quote from Jessica Hallock, the site’s publisher, I resonated with because I know the foil hat feeling that can come with trying to explain the dark forces of the tech world: “I was at the bar trying to show some avant-garde dancer an Intercept piece while sounding paranoid AF.”
Cat goes on to interview Shreya Murthy, CEO of Partiful who claims that when she was recruited to work a Palantir in 2014 the company “was not well known at all.” She worked there from 2014 - 2018 and claims to have stayed away from their contracted work with the government, implying her hands were basically clean. The honest truth is you can’t work at a company for 4 years not get whiffs of their deep dark secrets. It’s a tale as old as time: humans turn a blind eye to injustice if they think they stand to personally gain. The fatter your bank account gets, the harder it is to resist the status quo.
You should read this article for yourself. It’s pretty icky.
“Palantir was co-founded by right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel, one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent supporters, and helps clients draw conclusions from vast quantities of data, including how likely an individual is to commit a crime. One of its first investors was the CIA.”
“‘If Partiful wants to go from working for The Worst People to being welcomed by lefty communities, I think it’s fair to ask that they tell us something about what they stand for,’ Hallock said.”
“Online, she has indicated that she has benefited from having Palantir on her résumé, tweeting in 2022, “me talking to VCs: ‘I used to work at Palantir,’ me talking to candidates: ‘I used to work at a large tech company.’”
“As big tech cozies up to the Trump administration, privacy rights have become a growing source of public concern. Partiful collects personal information like your birthday, contacts — if you allow permission — IP address, and location, like many similar apps. In order to see an event’s address, you must submit your phone number. The app’s interface lists your ‘mutuals’ and shared events; mine included people I could not recall having ever heard of or met.”
Pope Crave stans, unite
*article*
Amanda Contessa is a university student in Italy and armed with an extensive meme knowledge and proximity to the Vatican, she pitched herself to Pope Crave to be their on-the-ground reporter for the 2025 conclave. She’s hilarious and I, for one, want to hear more from the Conclave Contessa.
“It is as if Rupaul’s Drag Race and Survivor had a baby who was a Catholic. But beneath the gags, it is a ritual steeped in tradition; the secrecy is a beautiful symbolism for how serious the decision truly is.”
“Given I’ve only lived to see three Popes, I do have to say Papa Francesco; his dedication to the impoverished and progressing the Church will always have my respect. And then, there are the historical divas: Pope Urban VII – shortest reign ever? Very limited edition, very chic. Demure, if you will.”
Things to do
The Other Art Fair
When: May 8 - 11
Where: ZeroSpace, 337-345 Butler St.
What: This is not just an art fair. There will be portraits, whiskey tasting, flash tattoos, workshops, and yes - art you can purchase. It’s happening this whole weekend and check out their fair guide to make sure you don’t miss out on anything!
Holy Spirit: A Fundraiser for the Trans Justice Funding Project
When: May 22, 9pm
Where: Gitano NYC, 89 South St, Pier 17
What: Yes yes yes! Support the Trans Justice Funding Project and celebrate trans joy with DJs and live performances. You have the option to buy a VIP ticket which lets you into the party early at 9 pm, an open bar until 11 pm, and passed apps or you can purchase a ticket for 11 pm onward and enjoy the DJ portion of the event.
Products
Poncho
*apparel*
I saw this sold out Frankies Bikinis poncho from their collab with Bella Hadid and felt an insatiable desire to have a poncho of my own. I reached out to Emily, crochet extraordinaire, and commissioned her to make me this baby. She’s open to other DMs if you want to work with her on an idea but you gotta keep it freaky and you gotta keep it unique.
HI 🌞 so happy to have met!