Travis Alabanza British performance artist, writer and theatre practitioner Date of Birth: 15.11.1995 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
2. Performance and Writing Career
3. Trans Activism and Social Commentary
4. Notable Exhibitions and Collaborations
5. Theater Productions and Literary Success
6. Personal Identity and Advocacy

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in Bristol and raised on a council estate, Alabanza first turned to art at the age of 16 as a coping mechanism for their experiences as a Black, queer individual. Their poetry began as simple drafts on their phone, which they never intended to share with anyone.

After an incident where they were assaulted with a hamburger, Alabanza decided to break their silence and shared their poems with a friend who had gone through similar struggles. This led them to publish their work publicly.

Performance and Writing Career

Alabanza's first collection of poems, "Black and Gay in the UK Anthology," was published in 2015. They then embarked on a tour with their theatrical performance, "Stories of a Queer Brown Muddy Kid," which showcased at venues throughout the UK and abroad.

In 2016, Alabanza appeared in the five-star production of Scottee's "Putting Words in Your Mouth." They also launched their debut pamphlet, "Before I Step Outside. (You love me);" a collection of visual art, poetry, diary entries, and essays.

Trans Activism and Social Commentary

Alabanza is an outspoken advocate for transgender rights and the importance of safe spaces for gender non-conforming and trans people. They critique mainstream feminism for its roots in transphobia, arguing that cis feminists often neglect transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in their discussions of progress.

Notable Exhibitions and Collaborations

In 2017, Alabanza became the youngest-ever Tate resident artist. Their solo exhibition, "The Other Artist," showcased at the Transmission Gallery in Glasgow.

In 2019, Alabanza and childhood friend Kaukab jointly created the immersive installation, "All the Ways We Could Have Been," which explored the question of "what is it like to be trans?"

Theater Productions and Literary Success

Alabanza's play, "Overflow," premiered at the Bush Theatre in London in 2020 and 2021. Directed by Debbie Hannan and starring Rhys Lyons, the play examined trans safety in a public toilet.

In 2022, Alabanza released their debut semi-autobiographical non-fiction book, "None of the Above: My Life Beyond the Binary." The book was named one of Waterstones' Best Books of 2022: Politics and won the 2023 Jhalak Prize.

Personal Identity and Advocacy

Alabanza identifies as Black, trans, and gender non-conforming and uses they/them pronouns. They have spoken openly about their own experiences of transphobia and the need for greater visibility and acceptance.

In 2017, Alabanza was denied access to the women's changing room at a Topshop store in Manchester. This incident sparked a public outcry and a campaign by Alabanza to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by transgender individuals.