Collection Book VOL. I Artist: Steven romeo A Program of the change project
www.ourbodiesourlives.org
d e d i c at e d t o t h e o n e s i l o v e m o s t
A r t i s t s tat e m e n t O u r B o d i e s . O u r L i v e s . , a p r o g r a m o f T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t, i s a c o n v e r s a t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n m i s s i n g i n t h e m o v e m e n t f o r L G B T Q e q u a l i t y; a c o n v e r s at i o n a r o u n d h u m a n i z i n g q u e e r p e o p l e . N o t a s s i m i l at i o n i s m , b u t t h at q u e e r p e o p l e a r e h u m a n s a n d s h o u l d b e t r e at e d a s s u c h , b e c a u s e w e a r e u n i q u e i n o u r o w n i d e n t i t y. T h i s c o l l e c t i o n w i l l a l s o a d d r e s s t h e n e g a t i v e l a n g u a g e , u s u a l ly centered around sex or deviance, used to define queer people. This is accomplished by empowering t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s t o c l a i m t h e i r o w n a d j e c t i v e s a n d t o s h a r e t h at i d e n t i t y w i t h t h e l a r g e r S o u t h e a s t c o m m u n i t y. T h i s c o l l e c t i o n f o c u s e s o n q u e e r p e o p l e c l a i m i n g w o r d s t h a t t h e y w a n t t o b e c a l l e d , a n d s h a r i n g t h a t w i t h t h e l a r g e r S o u t h e a s t c o m m u n i t y. N o t o n ly i s i t t h e n a m e o f f i n e a r t s p r o g r a m w i t h T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t, b u t a c o l l e c t i o n t h a t c a n a l s o s t a n d o n i t s o w n . T h i s p r o g r a m i s a n i m p o r t a n t c o m p o n e n t t o t h e w o r k o f T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t. W e h a v e f o u n d t h a t t h e usage of fine arts (photography campaigns) has allowed up to impact communities and audiences t h a t w o u l d n ’ t t r a d i t i o n a l ly h a v e c o n v e r s a t i o n s a b o u t L G B T Q a d v o c a c y o r i n c l u s i o n . A r t g e n e r a t e s s e e d t h o u g h t s w h i c h t r a n s f o r m i n t o c o n v e r s at i o n s . T h o s e c o n v e r s at i o n s t h e n l ay a f o u n d at i o n f o r t h e o r g a n i z i n g a n d m o b i l i z i n g t h at g e n e r at e s g r a s s r o o t s m o v e m e n t f o r s o c i a l c h a n g e .
About The Change Project T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t b r i n g s g r e a t e r v i s i b i l i t y t o t h e e x p e r i e n c e s o f L G B T Q p e o p l e , e s p e c i a l ly t h o s e i n r u r a l , M i d w e s t e r n , a n d S o u t h e a s t e r n c o m m u n i t i e s. O u r v i s i o n i s f o r a s o c i e t y t h at a c c e p t s a l l p e o p l e r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e i r s e x u a l o r i e n t a t i o n o r g e n d e r i d e n t i t y, a n d w e w o r k t o c r e a t e a w o r l d where LGBTQ people feel safe to be themselves. “Our Bodies. Our Lives.” is a fine art collection w h i c h a d d r e s s e s t h e n e g at i v e l a n g u a g e u s e d t o d e f i n e q u e e r p e o p l e . By c o l l e c t i n g a n d s h a r i n g t h e s t o r i e s o f L G B T Q p e o p l e f r o m r u r a l , S o u t h e r n , a n d l o w i n c o m e b a c kg r o u n d s, “O u r V o i c e s M at t e r ” b u i l d s a n i n c l u s i v e o n l i n e c o m m u n i t y o f s u p p o r t. “ I A M H I V ” i s a c o l l a b o r a t i v e p h o t o c a m p a i g n t h a t b r i n g s a v i s i b l e a n d h u m a n f a c e t o t h e e p i d e m i c t o a d d r e s s t h e s t i g m a f a c i n g t h o s e l i v i n g w i t h H I V. O n t h e l o c a l l e v e l , T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t i s pa r t n e r i n g w i t h gy m s a n d f i t n e s s p r o f e s s i o n a l s t o c r e at e s a f e s p a c e s f o r q u e e r f o l k t o i m p r o v e t h e i r p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s a n d h e a lt h .
About the artist Steven Romeo, MPA Steven Romeo is the founder, executive director and primary artist for The Change Project based in Birmingham, Ala. Their work was recognized by The White House in November of 2015 as an LGBT Artist Champion of Change. S t e v e n ’s f i r s t f i n e a r t i n s ta l l at i o n i s “O u r B o d i e s. O u r L i v e s, ” w h i c h e n g a g e s v i e w e r s t o c o n s i d e r w h at L G B T Q p e o p l e wa n t t o b e c a l l e d v e r s u s t h e l a b e l s t h at s o c i e t y p l a c e s o n t h e m . S t e v e n c u r r e n t ly s t u d i e s a t T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a b a m a a t B i r m i n g h a m ( U A B ) , w o r k i n g t o w a r d s t h e i r m a s t e r ’ s d e g r e e i n P u b l i c A d m i n i s t r a t i o n w i t h a f o c u s i n n o n - p r o f i t m a n a g e m e n t. W h i l e a t U A B , Steven served as the first LGBTQ Student Affairs professional with 100% of their job description d e v o t e d t o L G B T Q w o r k . I n t h i s r o l e t h e y b u i lt t h e f o u n d a t i o n o f L G B T Q p r o g r a m m i n g a t U A B , a n d c o m p l e t e d h i s m a s t e r s t h e s i s w h i c h a s s e s s e s t h e c a m p u s c l i m at e f o r L G B T Q s t u d e n t s , f a c u lt y a n d s ta f f at U A B. I n 2 0 1 2 , w h e n a r t i s t a n d d i r e c t o r o f T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t, S t e v e n R o m e o w a s c o n c e p t u a l i z i n g w h a t T h e C h a n g e P r o j e c t ’ s a r t w o r k s h o u l d l o o k l i k e , t h e y w e r e a l w ay s d r a w n t o t h e i d e a t h at q u e e r p e o p l e s h o u l d b e c a l l e d w h at t h e y wa n t t o b e c a l l e d. I n t h e f i r s t d r a f t o f t h e E m b o dy P r o g r e s s collection, participants were asked to share a word they most identified with, in addition to t h e C h a n g e p i c t u r e . O n c e t h e y m o v e d t o t h e o p e n s h o o t m o d e l , h o w e v e r , t h i s i d e a w e n t a w a y. O v e r t h e p a s t y e a r t h e y b e g a n t o p l ay w i t h p o w d e r p a i n t a n d c o m b i n e t h e o r i g i n a l i d e n t i t y w o r d c o n c e p t t o a n e w c o l l e c t i o n c a l l e d O u r B o d i e s. O u r L i v e s. A c o n v e r s at i o n t h at h a s b e e n m i s s i n g i n t h e m o v e m e n t f o r L G B T Q e q u a l i t y i s o n e a r o u n d h u m a n i z i n g q u e e r p e o p l e . N o t a s s i m i l at i o n i s m , b u t t h e i d e a t h at q u e e r p e o p l e a r e h u m a n s a n d s h o u l d b e t r e at e d a s s u c h w h i l e a c k n o w l e d g i n g t h at e a c h i s u n i q u e i n t h e i r o w n i d e n t i t y. I n a d d i t i o n , l a n g u a g e t h a t i s c u r r e n t ly u s e d t o d e f i n e q u e e r f o l ks i s o f t e n n e g at i v e , a n d c e n t e r e d a r o u n d s e x a n d d e v i a n c e . T h i s c o l l e c t i o n f o c u s e s o n q u e e r p e o p l e c l a i m i n g w o r d s t h at t h e y wa n t t o b e c a l l e d, a n d s h a r i n g t h at w i t h t h e l a r g e r S o u t h e a s t c o m m u n i t y. S t e v e n g o t t h e i r s ta r t i n o r g a n i z i n g w i t h R e l ay f o r L i f e a s a f r e s h m a n at C . L e o n K i n g H i g h S c h o o l , w h e r e t h e y g r a d u at e d w i t h a n I n t e r n at i o n a l B a c c a l a u r e at e D e g r e e , a n d r e c e i v e d t h e h o n o r o f C o c a - C o l a F o u n d a t i o n N a t i o n a l S c h o l a r . W h i l e i n h i g h s c h o o l , t h e y w e r e h e a v i ly i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e i r church group and Invisible Children. Steven then went to the University of Alabama for undergrad a n d c a m e o u t a s g a y f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n a f r a t e r n i t y. U p o n c o m i n g o u t, t h e y w e r e s h u n n e d b y t h e i r f e l l o w b r o t h e r s a n d b e g a n t h e i r e x p l o r at i o n o f p r o g r e s s i v e o r g a n i z i n g. T h e y w e r e s e l e c t e d a s a Yo u n g P e o p l e F o r ( Y P 4 ) f e l l o w a n d l a u n c h e d t h e f i r s t s a f e s pa c e p r o g r a m at a l o c a l B i r m i n g h a m h i g h s c h o o l . A f t e r b e i n g a f e l l o w, S t e v e n r e t u r n e d t o Y P 4 a s a b l u e p r i n t r e a d e r , t r a i n e r , m e n t o r , selection committee member and Alumni Board Member. U p o n g r a d u a t i n g c o l l e g e , S t e v e n b e g a n a g a p y e a r o f s e l f - d i s c o v e r y. T h i s y e a r l e d t h e m t o c o m e out as genderqueer in a professional working environment and build The Change Project from t h e g r o u n d u p. T h e i r j o u r n e y a s a n i n n o v a t o r b e g i n s h e r e . U s i n g a r t a s t h e m e d i u m f o r c r e a t i n g c o n v e r s at i o n a r o u n d L G B T Q e q u a l i t y wa s a n e w c o n c e p t f o r m o s t t h e y e n c o u n t e r e d. S t e v e n i s a r e c e n t g r a d u at e o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f a l a b a m a at b i r m i n g h a m .
J ay Capable 2015. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , A L
RJ Expressive 2015. Ta k e n i n D e n v e r , C O
Marisa spirited 2015. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , a l
Gaby Fierce 2016. Ta k e n i n o r l a n d o, f l
Benjamin Prepared 2016. Ta k e n i n c h i c a g o, i l Sexual Orientation: Queer
Gender Identity: Man
Race: Mixed
Why did you choose this word? The reason why I chose this word is due to my sexual liberation as a queer man and the fact that with my being sex positive i am affected by HIV at every turn. So the I am prepared when I engage in sex. How does your queerness effect your everyday life? As a child of conservative christian parents my identity as a queer man and a person who still identifies as christian have been a struggle of everyday life. Somedays I will wake up feeling shameful, fearful, and even some anxiety. But each day I wake up and reaffirm who I am and that I am beautifully made. When did you come out? How old were you? What was it like? Christmas 2013 at age 23 my parents came out to me. It was probably the most deja-vu moment in my life. I was sitting on the couch watching christmas movies when my mom turned to me and said “I know your gay”. It knocked my back a bit and i just laughed it off even though they don’t accept it they have still been accepting. In the context of the Deep South, and where you currently live, what is it like being queer? I currently live in Chicago, IL and I feel liberated and empowered to live in my truth. I don’t feel stigma or shame for holding hands with a person of the same gender.
Jasmine passion 2016. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , A L
Sam Compassion 2015. Ta k e n i N B i r m i n g h a m , A L
Lee Honest 2015. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , a l
Davis strength 2015. Ta k e n i n C h i c a g o, i l
Tay l o r Real 2016. Ta k e n i n c h i c a g o, i l Sexual Orientation: Queer
Gender Identity: Transmasculine
Race: White
Why did you choose this word? By definition, the term “real” means actually existing as a thing. I lived in constant denial until I was comfortable in my mind, disassociating with my emotions and ignoring the thoughts that dominated my headspace each day. If I deny myself the ability to accept the reality of struggle, success, and in between, then am I truly growing and existing as a person? I thought it was time I show the world that a transgender narrative that doesn’t conform to the “trapped in the wrong body” story isn’t a myth, but a reality. My multiple identities are real, my feelings are real, my body is real, and I am real. How does your queerness effect your everyday life? My experiences while interacting with my queerness more than likely intersect with my daily routines. In the university I attend, where I’m studying gender & sexuality in a minor, I primarily surround myself with other queer folks. If I’m in conversation with someone, that’s a high chance that they identify as queer simply because that’s where my conversations lead up to. As I’m becoming more comfortable with my queerness, I look to center the lesser known identities of mine in spaces and make friends more based on common interests than similarity in our queerness. When did you come out? How old were you? What was it like? I came out, particularly to my mother, when I was around seventeen. This dates back to 2013, as I was learning on how to explain my gender identity to people besides the ones I had encountered through the internet. To say I was scared was an ultimate understatement. My mom absolutely had known she raised a queer child, but didn’t really believe it linked to my gender. My mother is probably the most accepting person I’ve ever met, so I should’ve just expected her to be supporting. It did take some time for her to wrap her head around the fact that I’m her son, but she constantly tells me how thankful she is to have a son like me. In the context of the Deep South, and where you currently live, what is it like being queer? Growing up in Central Massachusetts then moving to Western Massachusetts for school, my experiences of being queer are strangely welcomed. Diversity is so encouraged for new statistics and to make places look more welcoming that my identities are often tokenized and shown to the world as proof that the schools, towns, and groups aren’t as awful since they have a queer person. There is plenty of resources for transitioning, being transgender, so legalities and healthcare as a white queer person seem much easier to access than in Southern states.
david whole 2016. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , a l
Rose Rebel 2016. Ta k e n i n O r l a n d o, F L
Enil Monster 2016. Ta k e n i n o r l a n d o, f l
amy radical 2016. Ta k e n i n o r l a n d o, f l
Prechard Heroic 2016. Ta k e n i n O r l a n d o, F L Sexual Orientation: Gay
Gender Identity: Man
Race: Black
Why did you choose this word? Because I’m a huge super hero (Batman) fan and I see myself as having a secrete identity. By day, I’m a huge HIV prevention/care advocate committed to services the community. By night, I’m an entertainer and club promoter who use his influence to promote more positive social norms. How does your queerness effect your everyday life? I work in a space geared toward services the LGBTQ community. It’s my everyday Iife. Just about everything I do involves a little bit of queerness. I truly believe that we have to be comfortable with ourselves if you want to reach our fullest potential. I’m all for people being who they are because everyone else is taken. When did you come out? How old were you? What was it like? 17, it was a challenge. Being the first in my entire family too come out. Although my family didn’t understand who I was, I cared too much to expose them to the scrutiny my chose would bring. I didn’t know enough about myself to help to them understand so I decided to move to a city that had the resource I needed to help me through this life changing process. In the context of the Deep South, and where you currently live, what is it like being queer? It’s getting better, in relation to what it was a decade ago here in Florida. I identify as a gay man, but I don’t look as flamboyant as some of my counterparts or peers. However, I prefer to befriend those whom are comfortable in their skin. I have many Trans friends who may not be accepted as I am. I refuse to to allow them to be treated any differently than I am.
David Aware 2016. Ta k e n i n O r l a n d o, F L
Zach Resolve 2016. Ta k e n i n C h i c a g o, i l
R ya n Undefined 2016. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , a l
Jacob E m pat h y 2016. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , A L
trey happiness 2015. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , a l
Otis Shameless 2015. Ta k e n i n B i r m i n g h a m , A L