Meet Angela Page: Founder of Love Your Rebellion

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Page and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I think the two things from my background and upbringing that have the most impact on who I am today are being a first-generation Italian-American, and being raised by a gay parent. Being the child of immigrant parents gave me a particular perspective on the world, and more specifically, the U.S. I often saw the U.S. through my parents eyes. Those views were often hopeful, but they also included things like watching my father trying to get rid of his Italian accent because he wanted to “sound more professional.” When I was 13, my father came out. It would be impossible to try and innumerate the ways in which this event from my teens shaped me. I can only really identify how my experience of family life differs from that of others when it’s brought up in conversation. I can say that both of these parts of my upbringing and background have made me interested in the unique struggles of individuals. Inner worlds can vary so much from person to person, and it provides each of us with a unique experience to voice. I founded Love Your Rebellion to create a space where people can share their voice, particularly those voices that often go unheard.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the founder and chair of the board of directors for Love Your Rebellion, a 501c3 that empowers marginalized groups through the arts. I’m so very proud of where the organization is today! We started making a zine featuring art and writing by people from marginalized groups in 2011, and by 2015 we were throwing events to coincide with the zine releases. By 2018, we’d been presenting several arts events in SWFL and Tampa that featured artists, writers, and musicians from marginalized groups. That is also the year we became a nonprofit. In 2019, we opened a Zine Library in East Fort Myers. LYR has had a lot of challenges over the years, but we’ve always pulled through and come out better in the aftermath. That is in part due to the amazing people who support and volunteer for the organization. The pandemic has been a particular kind of challenge for Love Your Rebellion, since we couldn’t do any in-person events. However, it’s given us the opportunity to pull back on our programming a bit, refine some programs, and create new programs. I’m extremely proud that LYR has partnered with Abuse Treatment and Counseling in Fort Myers to provide their practitioners with 500 copies of the LYR zine annually. The LYR zine has become a literary and therapeutic arts tool that’s created in tandem with a licensed marriage and family therapist with a degree in art therapy. This donation is right in line with our mission, and we’re so honored to be helping ACT. LYR’s newest program, Murals on Tour, is also a point of pride. The program is a traveling art exhibition that features works about inequity. Four artists’ submissions were selected, and their works are now on display at four SWFL locations until March 12th.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A weekend trip to my area would start out with a morning visit to Bullig Coffee and Bites for a latte and a waffle. Then, we’d head to Sanibel Island for a long day at the beach. For dinner, we’d hit up Nice Guys Pizza, and then after dinner, go see who’s playing at Ollie’s Pub across the street.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout the amazing Love Your Rebellion staff and board of directors! They are the blood and bones of the organization. They give their time, energy, and passion to every project they’re a part of. Can’t wait to see what the coming years bring!

Website: www.loveyourrebellion.org
Instagram: @loveyourrebellion
Facebook: @loveyourrebellion
Youtube: loveyourrebellion

Image Credits
LYR Issue 14 Cover LYR Issue 13 Cover XNVIX Roxx Revolt and the Velvets by Jesi Cason Photography ZineFest Pictured from left LYR Staff Annie Pritchard, Angela Page, and Michelle Caraway by Spencer Elles Murals on Tour graphic by Annie Pritchard