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THE Arts ISSUE With Articles Covering Queer Impact on Art (Queerly Needed, Artist Spotlight: Donnie Horn, Art and Identity, LGBTQ+ Choruses, Idina Menzel Interview, Queer Arts Project, PNW Artist Profiles. plus more... Cyndi Lauper 40 Years of Making Art3 ENERGIZING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, As we delve into this issue’s exploration of art, it’s imperative to recognize the profound significance it holds within the LGBTQ+ community. Art serves as a reflection of our individual and collective journeys, capturing the nuances of our experiences in ways that words often fail to convey. It is a catalyst for self-discovery, healing, and empowerment, allowing us to connect with our authentic selves and find solace in shared narratives. The artistic expressions of our community have played an instrumental role in our ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. They have challenged societal norms, shattered stereotypes, and amplified our voices in the face of adversity. Through art, we have forged a powerful sense of unity and belonging, transcending barriers and fostering a vibrant cultural tapestry that celebrates our diversity. It is vital that we continue to nurture and support LGBTQ+ artists, recognizing their invaluable contributions to our community and the broader cultural landscape. We must engage with their work, not only as consumers but as active participants in a dialogue that enriches our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Furthermore, we should encourage and embrace artistic expression within our own lives, recognizing the transformative power it holds for both individuals and communities. Art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit; it is an integral part of our identity and our legacy. It is a testament to our resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit. Let us continue to cherish and champion the artists who illuminate our path, and let us embrace the power of art to inspire, connect, and empower us all. Stay colorful and keep creating, Sincerely, Anthony Polimeni Publisher/Co-Editor of Out NW Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents Queerly Needed Artist Spotlight Donnie Horn Out NW | Washington Idina Menzel Best is Yet to Come Art & Identity PNW Artist Profiles Queer Arts Project OUT NW | Alaska Out NW | Oregon LGBTQ+ Chorus Feature: Cyndi Lauper 40 Year of Making Art OUT NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California Out NW | Idaho Quickies Call to Action & Masthead Page 6 11 14 17 21 26 32 37 40 45 48 51 54 57 61 666 Since 2022, an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ actions by the conservative right has permeated the American consciousness, including bills aiming to restrict freedoms and rights, “protecting the kids” arguments to ban books (and eventually other cultural mediums), and attacks on drag performances, a long-celebrated form of self-expression for the queer community. The goal of the GOP is queer invisibility. The clear agenda is the prevention of a queer future. This invites the question: What would the world be like if queer people were eradicated? Attempts have been made before. Under Adolph Hitler’s reign, in an effort to combat male homosexuality, the Nazi Party targeted gay males from 1933 to 1945. According to the Holocaust Encyclopedia website, gay networks and communities thrived in Germany prior to 1933, particularly in large cities. The Nazi government, however, persecuted and decimated the country’s homosexual population, starting that year. Using German criminal code paragraph 175, which forbade males from having sex with one another, a large number of homosexual men were arrested. Between 5,000 and 15,000 gay people were detained in concentration camps as criminals during the Nazi regime. As part of the government’s categorization system, these prisoners’ camp clothing had to have a pink triangle. Some were also subjected to medical experimentation, torture, and even death. On the other side, some gay men were demeaned despite their contributions to defeating the Nazis. Alan Turing is widely regarded as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, and he made vital contributions in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, and biology. Most significantly, he played a critical role in cracking the Nazis’ Enigma code at Bletchley Park, the primary nerve center for Britain’s codebreakers during WWII, which turned the war around. But Turing was gay. Britain repaid his contributions to the Allied victory with a prosecution for gross indecency, which led to his suicide at the age of 41 in 1954. Imagine the world without Alan Turing. Nazi Germany might have won the war, changing the political, economic, and social structure of the world, including the United States. 7 Art “Historically speaking, the queer community has made many contributions throughout the centuries, as have other cultural groups,” said Dr. Leslie Hammond, who holds a PhD in art history and archaeology at the University of Missouri at Columbia. “Nevertheless, individuals from these groups stand out because of their impact on society. …These people become legends, heroes, and icons.” Hammond cited numerous examples of iconic figures who would be sorely missed if their contributions had not been made. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, renowned classical artists of the Renaissance era, are known for their realistic style. “Both were innovative artists of their time,” said Hammond. “[Leonardo] was not just an artist but an inventor, one with an endless curiosity. Michelangelo was so curious about the human body that he performed dissections to better understand how it worked, which influenced his style. “A world without the Sistine Chapel, the sculpture of David, the Mona Lisa, and The Last Supper? [These are] such influential and iconic works of art, not only during their time but also in contemporary culture.” Frida Kahlo’s artistic creations were greatly influenced by her tormented physical and emotional life during the first half of the last century. “Her paintings are filled with symbolism and a bright color palette despite her experiences,” said Hammond. “Kahlo [who was bisexual] has become an icon of sorts for the queer community. Nevertheless, we can all learn from her perseverance and appreciate her resilience. Art was her therapy.” Postwar artists such as Andy Warhol demonstrated exceptional skill across a range of artistic mediums. “He painted, and created prints, sculptures, film, and more,” said Hammond. “Taking everyday items and elevating them, he is credited as the father of pop art. Warhol ushered in a new way of looking at society through his creations and made New York City the center of the art world. Not only was his artwork influential, but his persona and the company he kept had a major impact on what was considered cutting edge in the 1960s through…his death in 1987.” Robert Mapplethorpe was among the numerous artists who associated with and drew inspiration from Warhol. “Both men were gay, and both expressed their sexuality through their art,” said Hammond. “Mapplethorpe’s photography explicitly depicted gay life and culture without abandon. Despite many of his exhibits being censored, his work was a catalyst for the emerging gay [community] of the post-Stonewall era.” Keith Haring rose to prominence in the New York pop art movement of the 1980s, largely due to his connections with Warhol and involvement in his circle. Known for his lively graffiti figures, Haring spray- painted walls, subway trains, and other surfaces, alongside creating artworks, prints, and murals. “The content and subject of his work focused on raising awareness of the AIDS epidemic, promoting safe sex, Every person has been shaped by their predecessors, and each will shape future generations. Those who have experienced marginalization thrive in the realms of imagination and fantasy.8 and commenting on political and societal issues,” said Hammond. “Unfortunately, he died too young, due to AIDS-related complications, in February 1990.” Annie Leibovitz is a formidable photographer, who possesses a remarkable skill in portraying subjects’ essence in her portraits. “Primarily working with celebrities, her famous images of noted people have led her career to date,” said Hammond. “Iconic images, such as one of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, taken just before his murder, seize moments in history that we cannot erase from our memory.” Every one of these visual creators, both in their time and now, has impacted not only fellow artists but also the culture. Their creations are so deeply ingrained in our world that it’s hard to picture it without them. Music “Music, maybe more than anything else, provides background sounds to our lives and reminds us of where we were, how we felt, and who we loved,” said Robert Kersten, executive director of the Stonewall Museum, Archives, and Library. “The phrase ‘our song’ [exists] because music is so fundamental to our lives. Focusing on queer icons in music and composition, Kersten added, “When [those of us] of a certain age think of moments in our [younger years], we think of the music of Elton John, who captured so much of the later 20th and early 21st centuries. No matter who you love, gay or straight, Elton was there with you, crying, dancing, celebrating, or commiserating... The chords and sounds were and are a part of your life.” “Freddy Mercury’s music is very much the same,” Kersten said, “but with Freddy, we have the potency that came from his death, his vocal dexterity, and that so many of his songs were anthems for our lives. From song to song, you just can’t wait until his voice soars to unimaginable levels and takes you to places you’ve never been.” “Leonard Bernstein — could there ever be another one of him?” mused Kersten. “West Side Story, the Young People’s Concert series, the merging of popular with classical, his experimentation and creativity — [all] changed music and our appreciation of music... “[And what’s] modern music without Aaron Copeland, who wrote classical [works] for… Agnes DeMille’s choreography; , and the contemporary opera composer Ricky Ian Gordon, who writes for Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth, among others... “A world without these composers, vocalists, and timekeepers would be a world without color or sound. They are the birds we hear in the morning and the crickets we hear at night.” Theater Kersten observed that the theater has also been enriched by the presence of gay men, whose characters have captivated audiences on stage and screen for more than a century. Without them, our culture would lack some of its most influential and emotionally resonant voices. “One of the greatest roles in musical theater is Rose from Gypsy, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Who can forget Elizabeth Taylor’s Oscar-winning performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf’? …written by Edward Albee, [not to mention] her role in Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof [among others].” “The talent and imaginative genius spills into all aspects of our lives. We would be far poorer if these men had not existed,” said Kersten. “When one thinks about the significance of Michael Bennett with ‘A Chorus Line’ and ‘Dream Girls’ or John Waters, Harvey Fierstein, the singing of George Michael, Ben Platt, Little Richard, Johnny Mathis, and the other legendary crooners to rockers who have captivated the world.” To Kersten, all these queer icons comfort the world and push us to feel more deeply: “When you add spice to food, when you add a splash of color to an all-black outfit, it is [like] the music of these, and others, who share a little of their souls with us.” “We are all a little richer for their existence,” said Kersten. .....Next >