Who is she?
The Artist
In 2016, Sylvia began performing her spoken word in Indianapolis. She performed at open mics and showcases. From then on, she began to feature at different spots all over the state and the Midwest. In 2018, her words took her to Copenhagen, Denmark as a poet for Winter Pride. After her trip to Europe, she wrote a collection of poems for her debut chapbook, DIVINE. In 2020, she did a series of essays for Patreon.
In August of 2021, she was a headliner for Copenhagen 2021: World Pride and EuroGames. After her World Pride performance, she performed for a collaboration between the Global Queer Youth Network and the United Nation Envoy on Youth. Sylvia released her self-published book, Twirl: A Collection of Poetry by a Queer and Transgender Hoosier, in November of 2021.
In 2023, Sylvia became an artist of the Public Life Residency in Garfield Park with Big Car Collaborative. On her birthday (09.29.23), she released her third collection of poetry, VIGIL at the Tube Factory Artspace in Garfield Park. This collection focused on grief, being Trans, and relationships with family. After the release of VIGIL, she premiered her first solo exhibition at the Guichelaar Gallery, Letters to a Haunted House.
In her live performances, Sylvia combines music and poetry for a unique experience.
In 2024, Sylvia will be working on a new exhibition on the histories and poetics of LGBTQ+ Hoosiers.
The Activist
Sylvia was a youth activist at her University where she worked with students, staff, and faculty to create the IUPUI LGBTQ+ Center. She also collaborated with national campaigns and local chapters to focus on sexual violence towards LGBTQ+ students on college campuses. While in college, Sylvia represented the United States at the 2018 Organization International Intersex Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2018, Sylvia co-organized TRANSGLAM, a space for and by Trans people in Indiana to feel beautiful and celebrated.
Since graduating college, Sylvia has worked on increasing health outcomes for the Transgender community in Indianapolis. She manages a Transgender Community Health program and a Harm Reduction Program at Step-Up Inc.. Sylvia participated as a scholarship recipient in the Human Rights Forum at Copenhagen 2021: World Pride and EuroGames. Sylvia remains a network connection for many people in the LGBTQ+ community of Indiana and around the globe.
The Person
Sylvia Thomas is a Hoosier from Indianapolis. She resides in Garfield Park where she frequented growing up. She has a degree in History from Indiana University. When she’s not working as an artist, she enjoys being a cinephile, keeping up with pop culture, listening to Pop music, going to museums and shows, exploring cities, and spending time with loved ones. She is a Libra (sun), Leo (rising), and Sagittarius (moon).
Inspirations for her work: Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij, Sam Fragoso, Frank Ocean, Caroline Polachek, Ocean Vuong, Tourmaline, Eric Sneathen, Jenny Holzer, and Mark Alan Lee.