Over the course of my life, the majority of the homophobia I’ve experienced has come from fellow Scouts. Sprinkling in some nationalism and a dash of racism, the work you’re listening to, watching, touching, experiencing has been a way of engaging with that hurt.
Among many things, I’ve spent my summer simmering on the Supreme Court case of Boy Scouts of America et al v. Dale 530 U.S. 640 (2000). Case 99-699. A 5-4 vote in favor of the Boy Scout’s First Amendment right to freedom of “expressive association”— basically you can exclude members whose viewpoint might be contrary to the organization’s mission. Being gay is contrary to being morally straight.
It is silly. I try not to dwell too much on this. However, the outcome of this case, alongside Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, our government’s negligence of the AIDS Crisis and policy against LGBTQ+ people, sets the scene for the world I come into.
The world is cruel as you know. I dealt with the punches as best I could. Thinking too long about it makes me sad.
Five works were presented, alongside a documentation video.
Thank you to the Sweet Dream’s Society team: Megan, John, Alexis, Paul, Tommy, Keith, and Ruben.
Thank you Meredith, Esme, Veronica, and Kat for constant laughs.
Thank you Jake, Giacomo, Ben and Garrett for keeping me sane this summer.
Thank you Jacquie and Isabel for your constant support.
Thank you to Matthew and Mother Nature.
Special thanks to Tallullah, Jack, Camille, Kavya and Adam.
Thank you to the Pauli Murray College Richter Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the Lift Music Fund.
1. 99699
2. Portrait of the Artist as a Young General
3. Auxilio / Socorro
Archival photo and risograph on Mohawk Superfine.
Drawings and photographs on video.
Birchwood, manila rope, embroidered cotton on cotton, and fishing line 16ft x 16ft