Episode 21: How to Create a Sapphic Scene with Alex, Karis, Chloe, and Faye from Sapphic Memphis

Sapphic Memphis has become a creative heaven for Alex, Karis, Chloe, and Faye—four board members who've found their artistic selves through building queer community.

This volunteer-run collective doesn't just host stylish underground parties; it's created a safe space where members can explore their identities and express themselves authentically. From Alex conquering stage fright while hosting comedy nights to Chloe discovering the importance of being surrounded by creative people who inspire her musical aspirations, each member has found new creative courage through the group. Faye went from hiding her all-black, spike-covered aesthetic to finally expressing her true goth drag artistry inspired by video games. Karis describes it as "excavating yourself”—the self-discovery process naturally breeding creativity as they express their evolving identities. What started as event planning has transformed into a rainbow mixing pot of artists, music lovers, drag artists, and budding musicians who've found their tribe.

We talk about growing up queer in conservative Christian households across the Bible Belt and feeling like the odd one out, finding salvation through Tumblr and discovering that girls could actually be gay, the transformative power of marching band for closeted kids, being serial crafters with ADHD hyperfixations (and making chainmail), making monthly playlists since 2015 and earning the nickname “.pngshawty", taking inspiration from video games for drag looks and getting therapeutic relief from wearing spikes, the emotional impact of seeing queer people walk into their events with pure joy, and their dream projects including buying an entire queer strip with coffee shops and speakeasies, making documentaries about their behind-the-scenes work, and finally recording those albums they've been thinking about for years.