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Moth Moth Moth New Program Director for Focus Foundation

The Focus Center Foundation has named Moth Moth Moth as its new program director. 

The Focus Center is a Memphis nonprofit foundation that provides programming for Focus LGBT magazine and the Mid-South community. New programming for the foundation will include expanding The Prism Pages (a literary section in Focus from local queer creative writers), a new local HIV art showcase program to use creativity through the arts to raise awareness, and a new podcast to complement the work in each of these avenues.

Moth Moth Moth, known as Mothie, is a Memphis artist, writer, performer, and programmer. In her career, Mothie has “developed programs for youth, created some of the city’s most favorite drag shows, and has made a cultural impact on the region one hug at a time.”

“Bringing someone unique like Moth on as our program director is sure to bring a new creative element to the LGBT canvas that is the Mid-South,” said Focus founder Ray Rico. “Their work writing, creating art, and performing as visual artists with drag is something that the community embraces. 

“The experience in programming Moth brings to us is invaluable and we are so thrilled to bring Moth on board.” 

Moth Moth Moth “seeks to find places for people to feel safe, to express, and to move forward as a spiritually beautiful and literally beautiful culture.”

To get in touch, email programs@focuscenterfoundation.org.

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Memphis Gaydar News

New LGBT Magazine Launches in Memphis This Fall

Ray Rico

In September, the first issue of Focus Magazine, a new publication for the LGBT community, will hit stands.

Focus will be published by Ray Rico Freelance, a Cooper-Young-based design agency. The magazine will be available in print and online and will feature news, arts, entertainment, community, lifestyle, and other trending topics.

“The LGBT population in Memphis and regionally is being overlooked when it comes to news that is just for LGBT persons. There are many organizations that serve the needs of this audience, but nothing that is published regularly with aggregated content that is completely LGBT-centric,” said Rico, owner of Ray Rico Freelance. “We want to fill that void.”

Memphis hasn’t had an LGBT print publication in several years. The Triangle Journal, a newspaper published by the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center, ceased publication in 2009. Family & Friends, a Memphis-based LGBT magazine, stopped publication about a decade ago.

The first issue of Focus will by titled “The Coming Out Issue.” The publication will be free and available at area businesses, or readers can subscribe for a mailed copy for $1 per issue.

“We want everyone to have access to this important publication, so we are offering Focus Magazine for free online and in print,” Rico said. “The printed version will be published every other month while the online version will be uploaded frequently with new and engaging content.”