Staceyann Chin is as diverse as they come with Afro-Jamaican and Chinese-Jamaican decent regardless of being biracial, she identifies as a Woman of Colour. Winner of the 2013 American Heritage Award from American Immigration Council, and the 2016 Planned Parenthood Excellence in Media award, Chin is also a 2017 LGBTQ Humanist Award recipient. She unapologetically identifies as Caribbean and Black, Asian and lesbian, woman and resides in New York City where she performs her Art.
Staceyann has done nothing short of roaring on subjects of gender inclusivity and abuse. According to a biographical piece done on her in the Ubuntu Biographical Project, she is a past victim herself, having been correctively gang-raped in high-school back in Jamaica where she grew up and later came out. These past experiences made her all the more vocal and prominent in voicing the ignored.
As part of the annual Bring Your Fire call to action, MTN Bushfire 2018 will be hosting various activations such as environmental sustainability, education, cultural development, human rights, equality for LGBTI people, gender issues, as well as sexual & reproductive health and freedom.
In their Press engagement, they announced their hopes in the long-term of equal recognition before the law and social inclusion within society for members of the LGBTI communities;
“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people experience significant social discrimination in many places. The consequence of these social and structural factors is that many members of the LGBTI community are not able to lead a dignified life, have a family and contribute to society.
In partnership with Swazi organisation The Rock of Hope, MTN Bushfire, will host activities aimed at promoting equality and inclusion. From poetry slams and discussion at the new venue The Hub, to social and photo booth activations. This includes a performance from Staceyann Chin, a multiple award-winning poet and performer. A proud Jamaican National, Staceyann’s voice was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, where she spoke candidly about her experiences of growing up on the island and the dire consequences of her coming-out there.
MTN Bushfire Festival is on from May 25th – 27th and encourages everyone, from guests and artists to traders and vendors to BRING YOUR FIRE to the beautiful Malkerns valley in Swaziland.
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