We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ava Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ava below.
Ava, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Oof. Ok. Oftentimes, I am the only one in the room that looks like me, and I’m also expected to be “the voice” for all queer, trans, and nonbinary people – especially black, brown, and beige persons who fall in those demographics. And, ultimately I reiterate with every opinion and observation that what I say only applies to me, and that each person is an individual with different life experiences and reactions.
But I’ve learned to be successful by turning it into my superpower. Growing up in the suburbs of metro Atlanta, I usually found myself as the only one who looked like me in my classes, at my churches, on trips, etc. And, even going off to the University of Georgia, I still found myself usually one of the few, if not only, black and queer person in the room.
So when I began to transition, not only did I have a bit of experience, but by now it had become my superpower. This status also still gave me tremendous anxiety, especially now as an out, trans, and sometimes very visible person.
So I turned myself into a duchess. The first thing is, if one shows up to every event, no matter how small, dressed as though one is royalty (tiara included) you won’t have to wonder if everyone is staring. And this was wonderful for my social anxiety because I could answer myself, “Yes people are staring. It’s because you’re in a full evening gown in broad daylight wearing a tiara. Of course people are going to stare!” And now that I had that attention, what would I do with it? Unintended consequences, you know?
But the wonderful thing one has noticed with public figures is what to do with this attention. And so, I redirect it to my community. The queer, trans, and nonbinary persons who live in the Southeastern United States. Those of us who are artists in the region of the United States with the least amount of arts funding.
Those of us who are living in states with the least amount of social services.
Those of us living with many obstacles in our path.
And I help to remind those in the rooms I enter, where I may be the only one who looks like me (even without the tiara), that my community needs help to make where we live safer, sustainable, and supportive.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
The Prismatic Queerdom of Vosges is the next step!
I am a Duchess, an actress, a writer, and a filmmaker. Four years have passed since I turned myself into the Duchess, and it has been a wonderful 4 years. Four years have passed since making that short film, The Duchess of Grant Park, and since then I have been able to interview incredible queer artists and filmmakers including Nyala Moon, Lily Wachowski, Max Disgrace, Vuk Lungulov-Klotz, Zoe Terakes, and more. I’ve become a Sundance Fellow. I have become a board member for Atlanta’s LGBTQ Film Festival, Out on Film.
Since then, I have been able to meet so many wonderful queer, trans, and nonbinary artists and persons, and it has overjoyed my soul and spirit. Because for me, the most fulfilling part of all of this has been meeting members of this fantastic queer community. It is my goal as the Duchess, and reigning regent of the Prismatic Queerdom, to connect our communities. And the Prismatic Queerdom is the next step.
Yes, I’m still working on making my first feature film The Waltz, about a black trans woman who wants to learn how to dance (visit www.thewaltzfilm.com) . And working on a feature film of The Duchess, as well as the next feature I want to star in Elle. And also producing several projects.
But the Prismatic Queerdom is the legacy I want to leave behind, to continue the work of making the Southeastern United States safer, sustainable, and supportive for queer, trans, and nonbinary person; especially black, brown, and beige queer, trans, and nonbinary persons.
And I’m still working on fleshing out how it will be structured and operate ( a non-profit entity that owns for-profit businesses) but … on the off chance that I’m somewhat successful writing, acting, and making movies – I want to be a non-profit public figure.
Should I be successful, I want my success to pour back into my community and invest in the future. The eventual goal being an endowment fund for queer people of the Southeastern United States, where we are able to focus on:
Addressing housing insecurity by developing affordable rentals and homes with livable wages, and exploring the effectiveness of community land trusts.
Tackling food insecurity by drawing inspiration from communal dining experiences in college, such as dining halls, to ensure consistent access to food for our queer community.
Addressing job insecurity by recognizing the historical effectiveness of federal employment as a key driver in lifting people during challenging times like the Great Depression.
Advocating for fair wages to promote economic stability and equality.
Improving medical care for our community by exploring successful models like the Ryan White Program and fixed-cost insurance premium approaches.
Enhancing transportation options by advocating for increased investment, similar to Senator Ossoff’s efforts in Georgia, particularly in regional rail systems, to promote freedom of movement and reduce barriers, fostering unprecedented societal growth.
And finally, ensuring a comprehensive network of support for queer people throughout the Southeastern United States, addressing the unique challenges faced by those outside major metropolitan areas, and allocating resources to prioritize physical safety and other needs for these communities, given the elevated risks they face.
I see all of this taking form in laying the foundation for the Prismatic Queerdom. If it sounds like I’m running for office, I am Ava Davis and I am running to be your Duchess – wait, I’ve been told not only is my position not an elected one, but I made it up for myself.
Either way, if you’re up for building community and laying a foundation to greater autonomy and self determination for the queer community in the Southeastern United States and beyond, come join the Prismatic Queerdom!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Self motivation, perseverance, and addressing my emotions.
It should go without saying that, and hopefully it is not boastful, but that I have led a somewhat privileged life. And I would not be able to be where I am today without said privilege.
And by saying that, it also doesn’t mean my journey has been any less hard, but when we talk about obstacles typically faced by my demographic – black, trans, queer, in the Deep South – the fact that I have escaped with relatively little trauma, the fact that I have had stable housing all my life and never worried about where I will eat, the fact that I have a passport and have traveled across the country and to different parts of the world; that is a certain level of privilege that brings different experiences.
But, in answering the question – self motivation, perseverance, and learning how to name and address my emotions have been the most impactful on my journey. Perhaps the last one has been the most important of all, because in learning how to name and address my emotions I was truly set free.
In learning that my emotions were not a weakness, but instead a superpower, I learned to work with them instead of against myself. And that allowed the other two qualities I had developed since high school – self-motivation and perseverance – to truly bloom.
Oftentimes in our journey, we have to learn how to be our own cheerleader. To motivate ourselves. And it’s wonderful when one has a community. But even in the quiet of the morning, or the middle of the storm, the motivation and inspiration to keep pushing through has to come internally. And it’s ok if it comes externally as well, but that internal drive, that internal motivation is what will help. What are your goals, your dreams, what you want to accomplish?
I think that is what I mean by self-motivation, because when you know what you’re doing for yourself, it is easier to ask for help or receive that external motivation. You’ve already made your goal clear to you and it is what you can go back to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing – to achieve your goals, hopes, and dreams.
And perseverance goes hand in hand with self-motivation. It’s a bit crazy, being an artist or an entertainer. There’s a certain amount of crazy one has to have to keep at it for so long. But, and I think most artists relate to this quote from Rilke. And it’s a long one, so indulge me for a brief minute :
No one can advise you or help you—no one. There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its root into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And is this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.
Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
And so, we create because we must. Self motivation and perseverance. Creating because, at the end of the day, creating brings some sort of benefit to our lives. Catharsis. Happiness. Release. Engagement. What have you.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking for people to collaborate with. First, Studio Vosges is a production studio that creates and tells stories for, by, and/or about the queer, trans, and nonbinary community. Especially those of us who are black, brown, and/or beige. And I want to work not only with storytellers at all stages (I believe strongly in nurturing local talent) but also those interested in helping to bring these stories to life.
According to ArtsAtl, “Over the last decade, Georgia has consistently ranked last or near last in the nation in government arts funding. According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, for per capita legislative appropriations to state arts agencies in fiscal year 2023, Georgia tied for last in the country with Wisconsin.”
The unfortunate part is that when it comes to queer, trans, and nonbinary artists, the funding for our projects is even lower. Especially when it comes to narrative projects. Which is why I feel it is crucial not only for Studio Vosges to have a place in this world, but also for the Prismatic Queerdom, as part arts organization, to have a place in this world, and an endowment just like the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta – to make sure that resources are available to fund and tell our stories, and to make sure that our community is in control of the the funding and not an external organization.
For far too long we’ve depended on others for our rights to marry, our rights to bodily autonomy whether that is reproductive rights or consenting to gender affirming care, and oftentimes fighting just for our right to exist.
So, I’m looking for those who either want to create and tell stories with Studio Vosges (I always have a need and desire to connect with those who want to work behind the camera, to help make these stories happen) as well as those who are dedicated to the causes and principles of the Prismatic Queerdom and joining the queerdom to advance queer rights and the creation of a queer endowment fund.
I am working to produce several shorts this year and in need of hands on deck to : help on set; help in raising funds; help in throwing events.
At some point in the near future I want to throw a Queer Debutante Ball; first we throw a ball, and then we have a “ball.”
At some point in the near future I want to create a traveling tour of queer films throughout towns in the Southeastern United States. The Royal Southeastern Independent Film Tour.
And, I’d love to get my magazine up and running, with editorial photoshoots of queer artists here in the Southeast, in the same vein as Interview, Paste, Vanity Fair, and Jezebel.
All of these things require collaboration and partnering not only with other artists, but individuals, non-profit organizations, and local businesses who support queer artists and are committed to developing an ecosystem that can support them.
And, since this is a presidential election year, the Prismatic Queerdom is leading with the theme of TransJoy 2024, QueerJoy2024, and NonbinaryJoy 2024. We will be creating content, having events and rallies, and raising awareness for our rights in what is sure to be a pivotal year for queer rights.
We have to ensure our voices are heard, and recorded for history, and I believe this can be achieved through Studio Vosges and the Prismatic Queerdom! Send me a message or visit the website and let’s connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.duchessofgrantpark.com ; www.theavadavis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ava_davis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theavadavis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theavadavis/
Image Credits
Mark Morin Photography Studio Vosges Robby Owenby Photography Julie Jones Ivey Photography
