Welcome to “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” GO Magazine’s brand new interview series that profiles a different queer lady each day, by asking her seven unique (and sometimes random) questions. Get to know the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the groundbreaking, fierce forces-of-nature in the queer community.
Having space for queer and trans people to feel free is vital. We have so many spaces and organizations where we can find support in navigating a world that is not built for us to succeed—but being able to dance, be free and feel seen is just as important (if not more!). Roze Royze is a Brooklynite who hosts one of those incredible events: Set It Off.
As a DJ and event organizer, she wants to ensure that queer people have a place where they feel comfortable in their skin. Get to know how these events all came together and how nightlife is a part of the resistance in this “Seven Minutes in Heaven” interview.
GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do?
Roze Royze: I am a Brooklynite DJ who also throws a monthly Queer Hiphop party called SET IT OFF. I love dropping beats and making people dance.
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling discouraged or depleted?
RR: New York City is the greatest city in the world and I am honored to be a part of it. Music is around us so I just take the headphones off and just listen to the sounds around me. It can range from music pumping out of someone’s car or even someone’s apartment to just hanging out and listening to music at a bar or a coffee shop.
GO: Who are your queer role models?
RR: I feel like anyone that creates a space for us to be ourselves without discrimination of all sorts is my queer role models. We are the sum of all our parts.
GO: Describe Set It Off in three words:
RR: Family, Fun, & Queer.
GO: What are you listening to right now?
RR: I’m so into Princess Nokia EP, its banging!! O.M.C all the way and 2000’s Hiphop.
GO: Why do you think it’s so important to have queer-centric events and spaces?
RR: There are so many spaces for straight people to come together and connect with one another. It’s necessary for us to create spaces for queer individuals especially with the recent change in government. A place where everyone feels comfortable in their own skin, a space where there are no worries of being judged.
GO: Where can people find you?
RR: At my monthly party SET IT OFF, or every second Saturday of the month at my Union Pool residency.
Don’t miss the next Set It Off party is happening this Saturday, September 30 at Trophy Bar in Brooklyn.
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