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

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

Author: lost queer spaces April 24, 2024 Duration: 1:05:46

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.

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties is a series of intimate conversations about the venues and parties that have served as crucial backdrops for queer life. Host K Anderson guides each episode with a gentle curiosity, focusing on a single guest’s personal connection to a place that no longer exists in the same way. These are not dry historical accounts, but vivid, emotional recollections. You’ll hear about the specific bar where someone first felt seen, the underground club that provided a sanctuary, or the party where a community solidified. The discussions naturally delve into how these environments fostered identity, provided safety, and built the networks that define so many LGBTQ+ lives. This podcast operates on the understanding that a physical space is often the container for our most formative experiences-first kisses, political awakenings, chosen families. By documenting these lost spaces through personal narrative, the show archives a living history of queer culture that exists beyond official records. The tone is reflective and often poignant, as guests explore not just what these places were, but what their absence means. It’s about the lingering impact of a closed door, and how the memories forged in those rooms continue to resonate. Listening feels like being part of a necessary preservation project, one story at a time, highlighting why these communal hubs were, and remain, vital to health and well-being. Each episode is a specific journey into a memory, making the broader point about collective loss and resilience without ever needing to state it outright.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 6:10
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