If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit

if you could see them through my eyes main image

26 transgender people lost their lives in 2019 due to hatred and violence. Every time I saw the news of another senseless death I was filled with anger and sadness and asking why. Why did this happen? Why does this continue to happen? Why is there so much hatred, to the degree that a life is taken? I thought of Joel Grey singing If You Could See Her from Cabaret, begging for “A little understanding”. This thought opened the door to the project If You Could See Them Through My Eyes.


For years I have been married to a transgender man but I’ve only ever seen him as a wonderful and loving husband. I’ve worked with transgender performers at drag and burlesque shows but my eyes only stare in awe at their talent.

Transgender women frequent my salon but all I experience are the funny anecdotes and bits of gossip that any other woman would bring into the salon.


My husband and I have taken transgender men and women into our home who needed shelter, in need of a meal, in need of family and love. We have hired transgender individuals to work on our house and to work in our shop. I don’t see scary monsters who lurk in the bathroom. I see mothers, sisters, friends, husbands, wives, daughters, and sons. I see them as I see everyone, with love and compassion. I wanted to create a way for everyone to see these people the way I saw them.


With the help of a couple of other artists, we began to research and paint the portraits of these beautiful humans who left us too soon. But if I was truly going to let you see the transgender community through my eyes I had to show you more than the loss of life. I also wanted to celebrate the transgender men and women who are living their lives with such grace and power. They are out and free and no different than any other human on this planet. With the help of an amazing photographer and the transgender community, we began the work of bringing this marginalized group into focus.


We had planned to display this project at Right Brain Brewery for Pride month. We would like to thank Right Brain for their enthusiasm to accommodate this project. Unfortunately, due to the stay at home order, we were not able to continue to work with our models. We are planning to continue this project but parts of it will have to be postponed. For now, we will post these portraits on social media throughout Pride month. We hope that you will share them, that you will work with us to raise their voices, and that you can see these beautiful people through my eyes.


If you would like to be involved in this project for Pride month 2021 as an artist, a photographer or as one of our transgender models please contact us through Facebook messenger, or our email: nmpeoplespride@gmail.com

Sale! Northern Michigan People’s Pride T-Shirt – Tye Dye – 2019 Limited Edition Release
Northern Michigan People’s Pride T-Shirt – Tye Dye – 2019 Limited Edition Release

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Sale! Northern Michigan People’s Pride T-Shirt – 2019
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Love Is Love Sticker – 2018 Limited Edition Release
Love Is Love Sticker – 2018 Limited Edition Release

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