‘Queer Con’ Art Exhibit Honors Important LGBTQ+ Figures
Dr. Anne Wheeler’s fall semester course, HNRS 192: Bars, Bikes and a Revolution, focused on exploring the significance of historical gay periods. These projects were made by students as a visual representation of events and people who helped shape the future of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lily Gould created this portrait of Leslie Feinberg (right), a transgender and genderfluid activist of the 1980s-1990s. Feinberg has used her voice in protests, speeches, and writings to express her ideas about gender identity. They also published a novel in 1993 called Stone Butch Blues, giving an honest perspective on someone who doesn’t fit into any of the categories society deems acceptable.
Angelina Cohen created a multimedia work of art to celebrate Will Ninja (left). Ninja was a pioneer in dance and “Vogueing”. He also founded House of Ninja, a dance troupe that welcomes young people from all backgrounds and identities. After dying of AIDS at 46, his House of Ninja creation still lives on and advocates for HIV/AIDS awareness.
Emily Tanning crocheted a portrait of Marsha P. Johnson (right). Johnson was a transgender rights and AIDS activist who fought against discrimination and violence to dress like a woman. She continued to speak out and fought for LGBTQ+ rights. With her friend Sylvia Rivera, she founded a group of trans activists STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries).
Nicole Henkel produced this illustration of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room (left). An American author in the 1950s, Baldwin wrote articles that captured racism in the country. He was also a gay man and one of the few who fought vocally in the civil rights movement. His book, Giovanni’s Room, focused on the idea of being so afraid of being who you are that it makes it impossible. Even today, Baldwin’s work has had a great impact on perspectives on LGBTQ+ and racial issues in society.
Springfield student photos