PELADA

"Pelada," which means naked or peeled, bears witness to Ms. Boogie in Cotuí, the Dominican Republic, considered one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere. The first location, El Patio (The Yard), is where she spent a lot of time as an adolescent, hanging out with friends and basking in the beauty of the sun. We then move to her Grandmother's (Isabel Mieses) home (upcoming post), which her great-grandmother, Cristina Méndez, initially owned. The images underscore Ms. Boogie's return to her childhood and the intimacy she shares with her Grandmother. Their warm embrace signifies the realistic connectivity between Black trans people and their bio families. Although some active legislations and individuals wish to enact harm on all trans people, and more specifically trans girls and women, "Pelada" offers a glimmer of light on the people who deeply love and bear witness to us. Going back home to reconnect with family and the land is paramount to Ms. Boogie as she prepares for her debut album, The Breakdown, in the Fall of 2022. Photographed on @googlepixel for Creator Labs.