'Disco 2000 Was The Hub Of The Club Kids Scene' - with Abdi Nazemian

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties

So, if you were to ask me to overly generalise and boil down the types of experiences that guests on this show have had when first accessing a queer space I'd say they neatly fit in to two categories:

1) there are those who feel instantly at home and like they've arrived.

2) there are those who feel like an outsider, or a 'tourist' in the space.

Sometimes that feeling of being an outsider goes away after a few visits when they get the chance to ease in to the space and better understand the culture. But sometimes they remain a tourist... which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Which brings us to this week's guest - author, screenwriter, and producer Abdi Nazemian - who never stopped feeling like a tourist, but still credits his lost space, Disco 2000 at The Limelight in New York City, with inspiring him to be passionate and brave and fun.

We talk about the club kid scene in this episode, which was happening in NYC in the early 90s. I don't think you need to know much about the history of the scene to follow the conversation, but if you're so inclined I'd recommend reading this article to find out more (they even have their own Wikipedia page!)

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Takeaways

• Arriving in New York City for college was a transformative experience for Abdi Nazemian, who felt a sense of freedom and self-expression in the city.
• Abdi's countercultural fashion sense and artistic interests set him apart in his boarding school, where he felt isolated and craved the vibrancy of a city like New York.
• The Club Kid scene in New York City in the 1990s provided a sense of community and liberation for Abdi, who found acceptance and a space to explore his identity.
• Abdi's journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with his sexuality was influenced by his experiences in the club scene and the challenges he faced in a conservative boarding school environment.
• The Club Kid scene had a profound impact on Abdi, inspiring him to create a new identity and embrace a sense of freedom and self-expression. The club kid scene provided a sense of liberation, creativity, and boldness for Abdi Nazemian.
• Creating a persona can be a survival necessity for queer individuals
• The process of self-creation in the Club Kid scene allowed Abdi to become the person he wanted to be.
• Being an outsider in different communities taught Abdi the importance of forgiveness and acceptance.
• Forgiveness requires acknowledging that blame may have been misplaced and finding peace. Blame, acceptance, and forgiveness are important aspects of personal growth and finding peace.
• Fear and shame associated with sexuality during the AIDS epidemic had a profound impact on queer individuals.

• Counterculture plays a significant role in shaping mainstream culture, and fresh ideas are essential in art and entertainment.