Queering Democracy

Opening Reception: First Friday, October 4, 6-9pm
ImageOut College Day: Oct 12
*with panel discussion at 3:30pm at RoCo
Artist Panel Discussion: Oct. 24, 6pm
First Friday with The Human Rights Campaign: Nov. 1, 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates: October 4 - November 16

Presented in partnership with ImageOut Art this national juried exhibition is a reflection of our current moment, and is a poignant response to the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. Queering Democracy showcases a wide range of experiences, emotions, and thoughts on the evolving struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and representation and includes over 50 artworks from 15 US States by the following artists:

Abby Wang (Campbell, CA), Alex Marsh (New Paltz, NY), Ali El-Chaer (Pegram, TN), Amelia Borja (Alhambra, CA), Anastasia King (Toledo, OH), Andrew Zou (Jamaica Plain, MA), Balbir Krishan (Jackson Heights, NY), Brandin Barón (San Francisco, CA), Camila de Andrade Bianchi (Phoenix, AZ), Carl Grauer (Poughkeepsie, NY), Cesar Conde (Chicago, IL), CJ Hungerman (Geneva, IL), Clarajames Daly (Allston, MA), Elham Kalantari Mahmoudabadi (Baltimore, MD), Erin Adams (Los Angeles, CA), Ernesto Beckford (Chadds Ford, PA), Eva Capobianco (Ithaca, NY), Fidelis Izekor (New York, NY), Jamie Ryder (Rochester, NY), Jason Norris (Rochester, NY), Jo Cosme (Seattle, WA), Joan Cox (Baltimore, MD), Judith G. Levy (Rhinebeck, NY), Jérai Wilson (Saint Albans, NY), Lauren Eddy (Batavia, NY), Lauren Wadsworth (Geneseo, NY), Lucie Greasley (Liverpool, NY), Matt Vanderlee (Rochester, NY), Matthew Mosher (Orlando, FL), Michael Sylvan Robinson (Brooklyn, NY), Morgan Johnson (Gold Beach, OR), Nilson Carroll (Rochester, NY), Patty Tomanovich (Rush, NY), Paul F. Yount (Venus, FL), Quincey Miracle (Buffalo, NY), Renée Caisse (Westminster, MA), Renée LoBue (Montclair, NJ), Rich Harrington (Endwell, NY), Ro Robertson (Lumberton, NJ), Sarah Schneiderman (Glastonbury, CT), Stacey Chen (Chicago, IL), Unique Fair (Rochester, NY), Zexuan Jia (Westbrook, ME), Zoe Requena (Syracuse, NY)

In 2023 ImageOut and Rochester Contemporary Art Center formed a committee to design, promote, and execute this major exhibition. A diverse jury of three artists who identify as LGBTQIA+ was also formed to review and vote on the artworks. Nearly 500 artworks were submitted by 220 artists from 36 States. After an extended deliberation, the jury selected nearly 50 artworks by 44 artists from 15 US States.

Queer art has achieved greater prominence in recent years, yet the LGBTQIA+ community's struggle for freedom and equality persists. There are currently over 540 state-legislated bills threatening the rights and needs of non-binary individuals, including targeted measures against transgender people. From restricting Drag performances to censoring school curriculum and banning books, the echoes of past discrimination are hauntingly reminiscent. The urgency of this artistic call is undeniable. We hope this exhibition will serve as a reflection of our current moment, and as a poignant response to the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation sweeping the nation.

ABOUT IMAGEOUT

The Mission of the ImageOut film festival is to promote awareness, foster dialogue, and build community by showcasing LGBTQ+ arts and culture through films and other creative works in the greater Rochester, New York area.