Alana Gaglio (she/her) is an Editor at Pardesi, overseeing the ‘To Love is To Hope’ zine.

 

As a queer and multi-ethnic South Asian woman, she is interested in the way identities intersect and flow into one another, and the different experiences of community and culture this brings. Keen to explore the beauty of South Asian queerness, she hopes to connect more with these own aspects of her identity throughout the project, as well as with others who may have similar experiences. She is excited to use her love for sharing stories, as well as her editorial and communications experience, to help create a space of much-needed representation and celebration.

 

When she’s not doing Pardesi editorial work, Alana loves to spend her time exploring museums, doing film photography, and attempting to get through her to-be-read pile. She thinks Fleabag is a masterpiece, and could probably recite all of Bend it Like Beckham.

Zahra Nawaz (she/they) is the Graphic Designer for Pardesi’s new zine. A graphic designer, illustrator and artist, she uses her design work as a medium to connect with her Pakistani heritage. Bringing SA design sensibilities, from modern to traditional, into her pieces is a constant, focusing on topics within the community and highlighting the experiences of South Asians, making this zine a perfect fit!

 

Other than constantly drawing and creating, Zahra loves binge watching movies and shows on Neflix, reading and getting way too dressed up just to run errands.

 

Her all time favourite queer movie is Moonlight and favourite SA queer movies are Bend It Like Beckam (of course) and Badhai Do.

Myra Mansoor (she/her) is Co-Editor of Pardesi’s new queer zine, ‘TO LOVE IS TO HOPE’.

 

Being born in Pakistan and then being raised in Britain has shaped her experience of being a queer South Asian woman across different cultures and communities. She loves curling up with a cup of chai, her two cats and multiple rowdy siblings to watch anything, from sci-fi/fantasy such as Sense8 and Doctor Who or ridiculous reality TV like ‘Making a Prime Minister’ and the unfortunately addictive ‘Love Island’.

 

Over the years, she has worked in editorial, marketing and communications and hopes to use these skills to help build a space to which people of intersecting identities can turn.

 

The zine will create another medium for authors, artists and creators to express themselves, which she hopes will create that new space for those from all backgrounds to share their voices. Our South Asian identity can make our lives both very difficult but also very wonderful – let’s share those stories!

Nikita is a writer, poet and social commentator who advocates for an intersectional lens and approach to be utilised - she is committed to spotlighting the ‘other’, those who are chronically unheard and underrepresented within society. She is particularly interested in the power of creativity, and how it intersects with disability and identity.

 

Following her involvement in the Chronically Creative mini zine with Juice Droplet and Cysters, Nikita wanted to join the team to curate and honour SA queer talent and stories.

 

Nikita's favourite queer short film is called Queer Parivar, and it was showcased for Birmingham Indian Film Festival this year. It was so beautiful, moved her to tears instantly.