Origins

I had a lot of ideas for this project so I went back to visit my design journal to see what I had thought of. For example, prematurely, a project based on an idea that youth and adults could communicate with emphasis on respect for youth voices. The other things that came up were “queer youth anonymous chat” (as a phone app) and also “queer youth resource locator” which would, in my thought process, allow young people to find local therapists, or housing situations, or support groups that were in the area that were smaller orgs or group meetings. I found a organization called Boston Area Trans Support (BATS) and I had gone to a meeting to figure out who was around in the community that I could talk to. My visit to BATS made me think about a resource locator as an option for local youth because it was a journey to find an organization like that. I think it’s interesting to note that I was trying to project my values into the project early on.

I was trying to project my values, but I didn't necessarily know where to go. The origins of this project were mostly based on the fact that I wanted to come to Harvard to leverage the resources to uplift the voices of queer and trans people of color. When this project emerged, and presented itself, I thought “Maybe I actually don't have the resources to do that big of a project”. An art show is big in that you have to know people. Without knowing people you can’t really have art submitted. You have to have resources, as in a space, a time, people to help you run things, and support in spreading the word. In searching for all of these pieces, the project has exploded into a life of it’s own, with many more questions. Questions have become very essential to this process. I have had conversations with my group in T550, I’ve had conversations with Tracie in The Office of Student Affairs (OSA), both of whom have been huge supports to my thought process, while understanding the important work that I came to do which is uplift QTPOC voices. I’ve also had support in looking for more funding, and we’re continuing to search through our options.

The origins of my project come from a cross between my skill set which is production and organizing, and my goals at Harvard, but also for my community. I do think that my skill set is something that needs to be honed which is why I chose this project. Producing an event is something that I’ve done before, but its something I'm interested in seeing how it can evolve. In the end, I think my design journal response captures my values, still: “Queer and trans people of color are often silenced actively and passively, through systematic erasure. This act of violence can isolate and dehumanize the voices of this community. I want to explore what comes up for individuals when QTPOC are given a space to create with the intent to heal.”