Discovering Guianna

By: Amanda Moulton-Proctor

Guianna is an emerging artist known for her diverse style and soulful voice. From the church floor to the stage at St. Pete, Florida’s Pride Festival, her messages of Courage, Sobriety, and Love are truly an inspiration for all. I had the opportunity to meet with Guianna via Zoom and get a glimpse into the world of this amazing soul.

AMP: Who is Guianna?

Guianna: I am a child of God, an empathic person. I’m determined, stubborn, creative, passionate. A deep-thinker, an over-thinker (that’s who I am).

AMP: What motivated you to get into music?

Guianna: I remember singing at 6, preparing a song for church. I think because I saw my family sing, music was always just a part of my upbringing. In high school and middle school, I was always in choirs; I was in theater for all four years of high school. I started writing when I was 9 and started performing out in talent shows and events when I was in my early 20s. I didn’t start doing it professionally, like where I really made money until 2016.

AMP: Are there any musicians that have inspired you or influenced your style?

Guianna: Yes! Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote is my favorite person in the world. She’s the reason why I play guitar. I heard her, found out she taught herself how to play guitar and I was like “oh, that means its possible, I have to do this.”

AMP: What goals do you have for 2021?

Guianna: I do have a meditation coming out on the 21st. Meditation saved my life, so I am making a whole album of meditation. I’m going to put it out there and people can make of it what they will. I started rapping in 2020. I did a Bi Pride song and a Black Pride song that have some rapping in them. So, I would like to do more rapping as well. I would say more meditation and rapping; for now.

AMP: What do you hope people take away from your music?

Guianna: I hope they take away healing and courage. I hope that I can shine a light in any way in areas of people’s lives where they don’t feel liberated and they can feel safe to come out of whatever prisons they find themselves in. I also hope to open the minds and eyes of people who might have their eyes closed to certain things like sexuality, even about God, and shine a light on the vastness of God and the existence of queer Black and Brown people who are also deeply steeped in their faith.

AMP: What would you say to people who are struggling between their faith and their sexual orientation/gender identity?

Guianna: That God loves you. God’s love is huge. There is room for you and you were created to shake things up and make people uncomfortable and let them know that you exist and you are valid. There are some people who choose to stay in their church communities and shake things up there- you can totally do that! I had to stop going to the church I was going to because I couldn’t go to a church that was telling me that who I am is a sin. I wasn’t able to live with that. I came out to

my pastor as bi about 2 years ago and stayed for a few months. They were like “we love you but we still think it’s a sin”. I was out of church for about 5 months and then I was asked to be apart of the church I’m at now and they’re fullon like “LGBTQIA+ people we love you, we grieve with you for all you’ve been through, you’re valid, you-re awesome, we’re not going to change you. You’re welcome here, bring your partner.” That’s how I knew God was real because I was like “God, if you don’t make a way, then I’m just not going to be in church ever again.” So to those people I say: find a community where you are accepted and not tolerated, but celebrated.

AMP: What has your journey been like?

Guianna: Interesting. I came out as bi when I was 17. I continued to date women for a while, I still had, and have, some internalized homophobia, so around 21 or so I started dating guys. I kept dating guys until, well recently, but I came out at 29 again. So, I went back in the closet at 21, came back out at 29. Now I am out and proud and I have a Bi Pride song that I’m going to be singing at Pride.

AMP: Obviously you’re excited about performing at the St. Pete Pride, but how else are you feeling?

Guianna: I am, but I am also terrified. Let that be known! I was told there will be thousands of people and I don’t think ever in my life have I performed for thousands of people. I don’t even think it has been hundreds, so it will be very interesting to see how that goes. I have my God and my angels with me so I’m not super worried about it, but the human part of me is like "ahhh, that's a lot of people!" I am excited to share and it is such a dream come true to play at Pride when just a few years ago I was struggling to come out of the closet. I was struggling so much with either I have to come out and forget about God or I have to cling to God and forget about my sexuality. It's just so cool that I get to do both. I get to celebrate with all of my family on such a large scale.

AMP: What is your message to the Black and Brown Queer community?

Guianna: I am you. I love you. I grieve with you; I celebrate you with. I fight with you and for you. You can have it all. You can have your faith and your sexuality and follow your dreams. You can go to therapy and its not a weak thing. You’re worthy of love. You’re seen, you’re loved. You are valuable. Anytime someone tries to put you in a box, just be reminded that no group of people are a monolith. You my beautiful Black and Brown Queer people are not a monolith either. Don’t let anybody put you in a box because you’re Black, Brown, or Queer.

AMP: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Guianna: If anybody who sees this, come find me, come holla at your girl! Let’s be friends. Let’s go for coffee, or tea, or Kava- whatever your jam is. I am also a sober person. I used to smoke and drink and I don’t anymore because it was not working for my life. Anybody who is struggling with that or who is sober-curious: come find me, lets be friends. I’m always looking for more community and more beautiful people to add to my life.

Guianna’s music can be found on all major platforms. If you wish to contribute to her directly, you can do so at https:// guiannab.bandcamp.com. Also, she will be among the many