blog 6… Who tells your story?

pinterest.com user Natalie Troy

One of the things I love about the content and characters of this Archive is that they involve personal stories and journeys told by the persons themselves. We are fortunate to live in a digital age where a camera and the internet gives you access to vocalizing your truth to the world. So, my archive is, in so many ways, already an oral-history. YouTube has given the advocates from my Archive the platform to place their mark, to tell their story, to leave first-hand accounts and impressions on this generation and the one in which they grew up and are growing into.

http://tumblr.austinkleon.com

Lived experiences documented through oral and written form provide us with the most important kind of historical record. It’s not simply facts and numbers or statistics about an event or occurrence. It’s not who did what, when. It’s a personal snapshot of history that provides present and future persons with a deeper and more personal perspective on the given experience. We can feel it and know it better. To be queer is to be different and there is something essentially different about archiving through life and story.

 

(#13) … In a Heartbeat

This week’s lesson on storytelling prompted me to look at my Archive in a new light. As someone who feels deeply connected to stories, and the way we use them to see the world and ourselves, I’m surprised I hadn’t seen this parallel before. But throughout my Archive, I feel like I’ve been telling a story. From Shane and Bridegroom and it’s catalytic impact on my life, to my trio of fave gays (Tyler, Raymond, Kyle), through to my first experience at Pride, important voices in the Trans Community, and then a look at the conversation about gender and mental health with Hannah, Miley, and Connor– my Archive told a story of the millennial generation and our contribution to not only activism, but creative ways of being visible in our communities!

from Kickstarter

To put a bow on this project, the timing of this could not be more perfect. I have been waiting for the release of this short film, In A Heartbeat.  This film is the work of two students at the Ringling College of Art and Design.

 

I won’t give you anymore about the film because it’s worth 5 minutes of your day.  I chose to include it as the “close” to my story if you will, the end to my project, because it is a beautiful work of creativity, by millennials, with a message of love about young same-sex persons which promotes representation and visibility for young queer people.

No more from me… here ya go:

blog 5… Whose Closet is it anyway?

“…modern Western culture has placed what it calls sexuality in a more and more distinctively privileged relation to our most prized constructs of individual identity, truth, and knowledge, it becomes truer and truer that the language of sexuality not only intersects with but transforms the other languages and relations by which we know.” ― Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick

cpcjusticeandwitness.com

The concept of the “closet” for those in the LGBTQ+ community is a lonely and isolating place. In a heteronormative and often times unaccepting society, those with “other” identities or attractions are relegated to hidden spaces and performative interactions. This idea of wearing a “mask” of which is societally acceptable and keeping true feelings behind the “closet” door is a phenomenon that those represented here in my Archive seek to uncover, understand, and crawl out from behind. The mechanisms of evolving technology have given this generation the ability to build community and communicate with each other like never before. Therefore, where there was once a solitary “closet” there is now a digital space for those entrenched in silence to find their voice with the like-minded, seek answers and acceptance. The social influencers and advocates of my Archive specifically create content with young people like this in mind. In a 2015 interview with HuffingtonPost, Tyler Oakley talked about the impact of his online content about “Coming Out” and his becoming more cognizant of its reach.

ScreenCap from Tyler’s video

He has continued to be vocal about what is means to have been in the “closet” and this year talked with Gus Kenworthy, a recent pro-athlete who came out on the cover of ESPN magazine.

The concept of wearing “masks” and the obscured identity is represented and conversed about among the subjects of my Archive as well. In post #5 re: Kyle Krieger, I mentioned how Kyle and Raymond Braun created a video talking about the different ways in which masculinity is represented in the gay community and their struggle with allowing the feminine part of identity to be SEEN by the world (ie, continually wearing a “masculine mask.”) Later in post #10, when talking about Hannah Hart and gender, I referenced Judith Butler’s work on such. This relates well to Kyle and Raymond’s conversation and our bigger understanding of “masks” and performative gender.

“The misapprehension about gender performativity is this: that gender is a choice, or that gender is a role, or that gender is a construction that one puts on, as one puts on clothes in the morning, that there is a ‘one’ who is prior to this gender, a one who goes to the wardrobe of gender and decides with deliberation which gender it will be today. This is a voluntarist account of gender which presumes a subject, intact, prior to its gendering. The sense of gender performativity that I meant to convey is something quite different.”
― Judith Butler, Critically Queer

Ingrid Nilsen’s Coming Out Video

I become more and more inspired as I write and read about the people I have highlighted in this Archive – for having conversations about gender and the “closet” and for not being afraid to step into the light.

(#12) Coming out, Creative Expression, and Connor Franta


Who:
Connor Franta
(Tweet: @ConnorFranta / IG: @ConnorFranta)

I really wanted to use alliteration in the title of this post… otherwise it’s alternate title would be “The Power of the Introvert.”  I have friends who would laugh or give me an “I told you so!” at the 180 I’ve done with my impression of and thoughts on Connor Franta. Ultimately – he’s smart, creative, talented, and likeable.  Connor started out first and foremost as many others I have highlighted in this Archive – as a YouTuber, an online content creator. But like those many others, he found a voice that resonated with the masses (5.6 million subscribers!) and ran with it. He creates fashion, produces music, has written two books, and has an unreal online following. While so much of that “following” was already LGBTQ+ youth, Connor cemented his part in that community when he came out as gay online in 2014 on his YouTube channel.

@connorfranta

Significance: First, I’ll talk about one of those books I mentioned before. The embedded video in this post (WATCH IT!!)  is actually a trailer for Connor’s second and POWERFUL book, Note to Self. I absorbed this book in just hours – it’s a compilation of Connor’s photography, poetry, and essays about who he is, coming out, his struggle with anxiety and depression and heartache and just REAL 20-something-year-old things. The vulnerability with which Connor addresses mental health and his sexuality and relationships is important and powerful in a time where young people are seeking connection and place where someone sees and understand them and the things they are going through. While many of the other people represented here on my Archive are much more active in there pursuit of social or political goals, Connor’s quiet smile and friendliness creates a human being that has the ability to reach millions (A Queer Voice for the Digital Generation?) His introverted nature (and openness about being such) has connected with people and allowed a conversation about what it means to be quiet but still have something to say.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRUBH20Blll/?hl=en

(#11) The Non-Labeled and Non-Binary

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVQHOCrB6H7/?hl=en


Who:
Miley Cyrus
(Tweet: @MileyCyrus / IG: @MileyCyrus)

Note: I’m going to do my very best to stay true to gender neutral pronouns in this post.  🙂

Miley needs very little introduction. From Hannah Montana to tongue-out, controversial pictures and performances, Cyrus has definitely broken all the rules about who a “girl” can be. Miley started as a child star and singer born from Disney and offered to the masses as an innocent picture of femininity and Southern charm.  Yet, underneath all the glitter is a passionate force to be reckoned with. Full of talent, a powerful voice is there — speaking up and speaking out for those who aren’t as blessed with the platform.

“It’s weird that I’m a girl, because I just don’t feel like a girl, and I don’t feel like a boy. I just feel like nothing.”

Significance: The reach of Miley’s influence is hard to fathom. From TeenVogue to Billboard and even Time, Cyrus has spoken honestly and with vulnerability about what it means to grow up and discover yourself. Identity, sexuality, relationships. In an ever evolving landscape of understanding, and a world where people feel misunderstood and alone — Miley is a beacon of light painting the world in rainbow colors. The eternal advocate for the LGTBQ+ community, Miley Cyrus is my millennial advocate for gender-nonconforming, non-binary persons.

(#10) Hannah Hart and gender


Who: Hannah Hart
(Tweet: @Harto / IG: @Harto)

To summarize Hannah Hart is quite the task because she’s just so BUSY. She’s an internet personality and online content creator, comedian and actress, NYT Bestselling author, and most recently, the host of Food Network’s new show, I Hart Food.  With 2.5 million subscribers, Hannah’s YouTube channel grew popularity because of her relatable cooking videos (titled, “My Drunk Kitchen“) but she quickly expanded her repertoire to include collaborations, open and honest conversations about mental health, and fun challenges with friends.

Significance: If for nothing else than representation, Hannah’s presence and impact within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond is important. Hannah is a lesbian, and also frequently jumps back and forth between the feminine and masculine stereotypical presentations of gender. In the video embedded above, Hannah answers questions and talks frankly about gender, her understandings, and what the labels mean to her.  She talks about, again, the representations of gender and being mis-gendered. Gender Theorist, Judith Butler,  actually calls this idea of gender presentations – performative. I think Hannah’s non-conformative gender presentation aligns well with Butler’s ideas about gender. (To hear Judith Butler talk about performance gender, click here.)

“I  hope that as my career continues I get to create and work on more LGBT projects and bring LGBT storytelling into more mainstream media!” (Indiewire.com)

Hannah’s appeal has translated to the “mainstream” media as well.  Her second book, Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded, gave the world a look at a complicated woman with a valuable story.

“In her debut memoir [Hart]…delves deep into her past, sharing her experiences with family, mental illness, sexuality, friendship, and love. Although she is currently living the life of a public figure, a fact that she teasingly points out throughout the piece, Hart focuses on her past; its complexities, juxtapositions, and contradictions make up the bulk of her entertaining and honest story. Hart exposes the hardest parts of her life: being gay with a Jehovah’s Witness father, growing up poor with a schizophrenic mother. These and other figures of her life could be easily demonized, but Hart allows them to emerge as complicated characters.” (Source)

Hannah’s “reckless optimism” has also encouraged her fans and followers towards a movement of friendship across the country and the world! Every year, captains all over the world organize events with a purpose :  “HAVE A HART DAY– an initiative to organize & mobilize Hartosexuals & friendly humans to spread service and reckless optimism all over the world!” (Visit the FB page!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUzqvj5hiC_/

 

blog 4… Why Millennials?

The Millennials, we haven’t been here long,
but we promise not to bore.

We’ve bopped into our generation with song,
app and tweet and snap galore.

We cast aside our fathers’ labels,
about sex and gender and who goes where.

Rebelling history’s one-sided fable,
we chose our place, our clothes, our hair.

In the streets, donning rainbows, we link arms
and march with pride,

ready to stand up for more tomorrows
and our communities far and wide!

Behind the Poem:
This poem is a manifestation of my Archive about Social Activism and LGBTQ Millennials. I love writing and have been an active writer most of my life. For me, it is an important tool to work through ideas and emotions. Therefore, thinking both critically and creatively to construct this piece about my Archive helped me to see it in a newer light. I haven’t yet addressed in my Archive the fact that the Millennial generation has a bit of a “bad rap” and is often criticized for a multitude of reasons (of which I won’t waste anyone’s time on here because I think they are silly.) However, when I went to write this poem, I found myself immediately wanting to talk about how powerful and impactful they (we) have been in this community and beyond. Which is, without a doubt, a primary focus in creating this archive = seeing the impact of Millennial, LGBTQ+ Creators!

Noteworthy:
My poem is modeled in structure and style off of Paul Verlaine’s “Spleen.” I liked his simple way of writing and his rhyming pattern. The continuation of sentences between lines was an interesting tool as both a writer and a reader of his work. As someone who has studied writing, I always find it fascinating to encounter new writers and then attempt to mimic their techniques.

WhyMillennialsMatter.com

(#9) TransActivism: Aydian Dowling

from @ALionsFear on IG, March, 2017

Who: Aydian Dowling
(Tweet: @AydianDoyling / IG: @ALionsFear)

Aydian gained visibility and a following in 2015 when he became a fan favorite to win Men’s Health Magazine’s “Ultimate Health Guy” contest. Even though Aydian didn’t win the contest, he won a spot on the cover, becoming one of the first transgender men to do so. Dubbed “The Pioneer,” Aydian’s popularity thrust him into the spotlight and granted him the opportunity to promote visibility for the trans-community and converse with other activists through mediums like YouTube. He  attended VidCon this year and met other content creators like Tyler Oakley and was part of a panel about Gender Identity.

Significance: “Aydian got us thinking about what it means to be a man in 2015,” Men’s Health Editor-in-Chief Bill Phillips says. “He’s become a leading voice of the transgender community and we feel privileged to share his story and to count him as a member of the Men’s Health family” (Out.com)

Sharing his story is just what Aydian has done. From every part of his social media platform, Aydian has chosen to be vulnerable and honest about a deeply personal journey – transitioning. He has talked openly about being on testosterone and his surgeries, his health and fitness plans, his long-term relationship with his now wife, and so much more.

Often times the barriers between hetero-normative society and  LGBTQ persons or anyone deemed as “the other” is simply the fact that humans shun or shy away from what they do not understand. What is crucial about Aydian’s “brand” of activism and advocacy is that he has created a place where people can learn and feel safe. All the while, he continues to use this platform to raise money for causes that benefit the community.

Men’s Health, Nov, 2015

 

(#8) TransActivism: Laverne Cox

The Guardian, 2015

Who: Laverne Cox
(Tweet: @LaverneCox / IG: @LaverneCox)
Buzzfeed called her the “Woman we’ve been waiting for” and Glamour, Time, Out, and HuffingtonPost have all honored her as an influential and intersectional voice for the trans community. Best known for her role on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, Laverne Cox has become a powerful icon for LGBTQ+ visibility with her confidence, talent, and unwavering advocacy.

Significance: I wanted to start with a quote from Laverne herself, because it is so much more eloquent than I could ever write on her behalf. Her mark on the activism of the millennial generation is smart and direct: we need diversity of representation. On TransVisibility Day (3/31) this year, Laverne posted this to her Instagram:

“As an out, visible, black, transgender woman everyday is #TransDayOfVisibility for me. My blackness, transness and womanhood are political, social and historic realities. But my spirit, my soul, my humanity transcend these identity categories. As an artist I have always yearned for transcendence. Today I continue to do the spiritual work towards that transcendence. But the political, social and historic realities of the multiple identities I inhabit, continue to affect how I and people like me move through the world and access space and resources. In this context it becomes necessary, vital to celebrate ourselves and these socially constructed yet personally, politically and historically relevant identities we inhabit. Trans people are under attack perhaps now more than ever as we enjoy more visibility than we have ever known. So on this #transdayofvisibility #tdov2017 we celebrate trans folks, those who are visible, by circumstance and by choice. We celebrate and are visible for those who can not be. As we celebrate visibility we also acknowledge the limits of visibility. We acknowledge that trans folks experience violence disproportionately, that the past 3 years there have been more murders of trans folks than since we have been tracking trans homicides. We acknowledge that trans students are under attack in the United States. We #StandwithGavin Grimm and trans students like him across this nation fighting for dignity and equal access. We acknowledge that bills like HB2 and the bill masquerading as a repeal of that bill but is only more discrimination, are about erasing trans people from public life. We acknowledge that when we are excluded from being counted in census data this is another attempt to erase us. We acknowledge that when trans folks are misgendered and disavowed this is yet another attempt to stigmatize and erase us. We acknowledge that folks at the intersections of multiple identities being targeted must be lifted up. On this Trans Day of Visibility we reassert that we will not and cannot be erased.”

“My blackness, transness and womanhood are political, social and historic realities.”

For Pride last month, Laverne took part in LogoTV’s LGBTQ History Project.  See a clip below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV-3oJ6AOr5/?hl=en

One of the most compelling parts of Laverne, is her unwavering commitment to embracing and remembering the different aspects of her identity. I love that she highlights the importance of intersectionality when talking about her feminism and her activism.

When researching the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the queer women at its inception, I found a similar sentiment at its core, “Perhaps if we were the charismatic Black men many are rallying around these days, it would have been a different story, but being Black queer women in this society (and apparently within these movements) tends to equal invisibility and non-relevancy” (BLM, Herstory.) Interestingly, Laverne Cox frequently speaks about invisibility in her community.

“We will not and cannot be erased.”

(#7) TransActivism: The Next Wave of Advocates

What:  I’m starting off this next series of posts about our transgender friends with an article featured in the Human Rights Campaign’s publication, Equality Magazine. In the Spring of 2017, HRC featured on the cover the “Next Wave of Transgender Advocates.” The article highlights Gavin Grimm and his challenge to Virginia school board’s bathroom policies, Avery Jackson as the first transgender girl to appear on the cover of National Geographic, Jazz Jennings, Brendan Jordan and more!

HRC, Equality Magazine, Spring 2017 (Cover)
HRC Equality Magazine, Spring 2017 (p 1 and 2 of article)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HRC, Equality Magazine, Spring 2017 (pg. 3 of article)

 

Significance:   In the LGBTQ+ community, the “T” identifying have had a particularly rough time. This year already, 14 transgender women of color have been killed in the US. In the first month of his presidency, Mr. Trump rolled back protections for transgender students.  And just this week, the Pentagon pushed back the directive to accept transgender troops into the ranks of the US Armed Forces.  The importance of young voices in the world is never more important. When Gavin Grimm wanted to go the restroom that matched the gender he identified with, it went to the courts and captured national attention. When Nat Geo put Avery Jackson on their cover, she became the face of a movement, at 9 years old.

Visibility and representation are everything.

One of my favorite transgender activists is the lovable, adorable, and outgoing, Jazz Jennings. Through her YouTube channel, and television show, she and her family have used her journey to show the world that transgender people are WONDERFUL!
Jazz Jennings – Tweet @JazzJennings_ / IG: @JazzJennings_