despite the censorship of authentic identity affirmation by the cisgender-heterosexual gaze, Queer people have created increased visibility for ourselves. almost seems explores the evolution of Queer people’s encrypted language for self-protection through the connection of multiple generations of the lgbtqia+ community. stemming from our collaboration, i reflect on their experiences and utilize self-portraiture to redefine my Queer identities’ progression. through photography and sculpture, i challenge what we have been socialized to consider a gendered space and reinvent it to include the lgbtqia+ community. the images visualize Queer people’s consciousness of the hesitation to express ourselves and celebrates lgbtqia+ people’s resilience to subvert heteronormativity.
evolving understandings of ourselves influence our interactions with each other in private and reclaimed communal spaces. codes spanning across generations operate as a dialect that connects us. as a young, Latine, Queer individual, i honor the experiences of the predecessors who have impacted my identity rights.
i ask that only people who are in the lgbtqia+ community use the word "Queer" when referring to my community as it is a reclaimed slur.
