Riding at night through the dangerous streets of Eastside Los Angeles, the Ovarian Psycos use their bikes to confront the violence in their lives. At the helm of the crew is founder Xela de la X, a single mother and poet M.C. dedicated to recruiting an unapologetic, misfit crew of women of color. The film intimately chronicles Xela as she struggles to strike a balance between her activism and nine year old daughter Yoli; street artist Andi who is estranged from her family and journeys to become a leader within the crew; and bright eyed recruit Evie, who despite poverty, and the concerns of her protective Salvadoran mother, discovers a newfound confidence. Directors Bio: Joanna Sokolowski and Kate Trumbull-LaValle met in graduate school. The two bonded over a shared commitment to produce intimate, nuanced portraits of the contemporary female experience. The duo formed Sylvia Frances Films in 2013, named after their mothers’ first names, to produce their first feature documentary, OVARIAN PSYCOS.

In partnership with the Creative Alliance, we're hosting a film screening and discussion of the documentary Ovarian Psycos. Based in Los Angeles, Ovarian Psycos is an “all womxn of color bicycling brigade” paving the way for what it means to create an inclusive and supportive bicycling community for women of color, and boldly claiming their right to the road.

In the U.S. only 24% of all bicycle trips are made by women. In Baltimore, where 33% of residents don’t have access to a car, low-income and minority households are more likely to use bikes as a necessary mode of transportation to work or school. Yet women and people of color often feel less welcome in biking spaces, don’t have bike infrastructure in their neighborhoods, and are more likely to experience street harassment, among other barriers. 

This screening and community discussion in Highlandtown, where neighbors face these issues every day, will bring these themes to the forefront of local discussion and convene a diverse force for equitable transportation advocacy in Baltimore. 

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include:
Bikemore | livable streets advocacy organization
Hollaback Baltimore | movement to end street harassment
IRIS Baltimore | LGBTQ Latino group

Tickets are free but registration is required. 

In partnership with

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