Margarita Alcantara

Sabrina Margarita Alcantara-Tan, born June 10, 1970, is a writer and the originator of the print zine series Bamboo Girl, which is no longer active. Born in Pennsylvania, Alcantara later relocated to New York City, where she currently resides. She identifies as an Asian-American queer woman.

Beyond her literary work, Alcantara is a practicing acupuncturist. She earned a Master of Science in Acupuncture from the Pacific College of Health and Science and maintains an active practice in New York. Her zine, Bamboo Girl, was distributed in the United States between 1995 and 2005. This independent publication featured content that addressed issues of homophobia, racism, and sexism, and notably included contributions from Filipina authors such as Ninotchka Rosca, Jessica Hagedorn, and Perla Daly.

From 1995 to 2005, Margarita Alcantara produced and circulated Bamboo Girl, an independent print zine across the United States. This publication served as a platform for commentary on significant social issues, including homophobia, racism, and sexism. Alcantara made a point of featuring the work of Filipina authors within the zine's pages. Notable contributors included Ninotchka Rosca, Jessica Hagedorn, and Perla Daly, highlighting a commitment to amplifying diverse voices within the independent media landscape of the time.

In addition to her work as a writer, Margarita Alcantara is a licensed acupuncturist. She pursued her formal education in the field at the Pacific College of Health and Science, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture. Alcantara currently operates an active acupuncture practice in New York City, integrating her healing arts expertise with her other professional endeavors.