Bert, Indianapolis, IN, USA -- he/him

don;t CRY Boi

Forward NEVER STR8 

boi. Never! fill ur heart with

hate boi.

Relax boi,

And enjoy

Stoopid Fokboi

"The show."

TEA! Indianapolis, IN, USA -- she/her

Hi, I am 67 years old, I lived 50 years in the closet. I use she, her, hers, but when I came out only a very few considered "Binary or non-Binary" with "gender". I lived my life honestly with the caveat that I pretended to be 100% male for those 50 years so now I am gauging my honesty over a lifetime rather than absolutely living my gender ambiguity.

I have been a clown, a drag racer, mechanic, bicycle shop owner, a candidate for US House, a husband, a GM of a radio station, owned a bicycle shop for 44 years, volunteered for probably a dozen organizations, an activist against I69, the owner of a PAC, three Indiana governors in a row knew me by my first name and didn't like me. I have been a bicycle coach for a number of racers. Those were before I transitioned. Since then I have become a nationally known trans burlesque performer semi famous for my blacklight routines, a model, a designer and organizer for BloomingtonTrashion.org. I was a nationally elected Bernie Delegate to the State and National Conventions in 2016. I am currently an elected Delegate in 2018 and now a Precinct committee Chair for the Monroe County Democratic Party. I am a member of Bloomington Stonewall Democrats, an organization that will go public this spring. On Facebook, I am both this persona and my burlesque one, TEA! You will see that persona at facebook.com/tea.tease.

Alex

Queer is my preferred primary identifier because of its flexibility. I identify as bisexual as well, but I don’t feel like I’ve got it all figured out just yet in regards to genders I am attracted to, or even my own gender. Queer lets me express the sentiment of ‘I’m not exactly sure, but I’m definitely not straight, and maybe not cis.’ It also gets me less side-eye than bisexual sometimes does in spaces that are branded LGBTQ+, which shouldn’t happen, but it does all the time.

I have so many other identities: parent, teacher, nurse, spouse, researcher, student, bisexual; queer is the only one that doesn’t rely on my positioning related to others. It’s just who I am. It allows me the freedom to explore different aspects of myself, such as my gender presentation, passion for equality in healthcare, and love of queer spaces without feeling as if any choice that I make is incorrect or bad. It’s all just queer, and it all fits within the queer spectrum.

Emily

I told someone about this project and the person asked, "What's the point?"

When I look at the artist's rendition of myself, I see someone who grew up climbing trees and riding bikes in a small, Minnesotan town. I am college-educated. I've lived abroad for a few years and speak German. I've been a teacher of English as a second language and ballroom dancing. I've worked for non-profits and I've worked for the government. I'm currently a steamfitter. I like to golf and play African drums. I'm a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, and a good friend.

When you see my face and read these words, is there something there that you can identify with? For me, the Project is about connection. It is to say, "Look at me a moment. Read a brief statement about me. Find an aspect of me that is similar to something in you." Maybe you'll find that queer is not so different after all.

Chuck

For me, no different from millions of others, my youth's greatest burden was the emotional pain of isolation in the closet which quickly become despair alternating with panic. (It's still a wonder to me anyone survives it.) Of course, now I realize I had it much better than most: Zero violence or even confrontations, a loving family, abundant opportunities (including growing up in a military family, living internationally, constantly moving always being the new kid in school), and a civilized environment largely free of religious pollution, etc. So in these brief reflections I find a great lesson, for in the words Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened."

For more personal detail, including How I Got from Art Major to Business Owner: http://ctbauer.com/public/view_text.php?user_id=6

Nevertheless, for many there remain uncountable misfortunes, and for those of us who have survived, it's our duty to make sure everyone else does too, principally by living openly and honorably, perhaps no other specific activism required, though anyone can see the world remains filled with ignorance, fear, danger, and risk, recent giant leaps of long overdue enlightenment by President Obama, notwithstanding.

Nick

I could be described in many terms, but no single word seems to be accurate. I'm smart and funny, except when I'm foolish and awkward. I'm independent and assertive and confident, yet some of my defining moments have been when I was shy or anxious or scared. Some see me as cheerful and kind, and to others I'm dark and selfish. I'm queer, but I'm told that sometimes I 'act straight' (whatever that means). I'm rarely described as masculine, but I am more athletic than anyone I know. There doesn't seem to be a single word that can describe me. Well maybe just one: Nick.

Michael

In my life journey, learning that I was gay made me attentive to all forms of discrimination. It led me to degrees in Women's Studies and Afro-American Studies. It has made me a passionate advocate not just for LGBT rights, but for all rights.

Being gay obligates me to fight for the rights of other as well as my own. There is no freedom, no democracy and no justice so long as it is denied to any.

I think it is critical for gay men to stand up for women's rights, to fight racism and to recognize and stand against all forms of oppression. It is together that we will build a more just society.