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
Remembering Ashanti Carmon – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Ashanti Carmon was a 27-year-old transgender woman of color. On March 30th, 2019 she was shot multiple times in Fairmount Heights and was pronounced dead at the scene. Ashanti’s fiance, Philip Williams said, “Until I leave this Earth, I’m going
Remembering Jamagio Jamar Berryman – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Jamagio Jamar Berryman, who also sometimes went by Ja’leyah-Jamar, was 30 years old when their life was lost in an act of gun violence on September 13th, 2019. “As we hold space to remember and uplift Ja’Leyah, we must also recognize
Remembering Johana ‘Joa’ Medina – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Johana ‘Joa’ Medina, a 25-year-old transgender woman from El Salvador, entered federal immigration custody on April 11th, 2019, after waiting nearly three months in Juarez, Mexico, for her number to come up with U.S. Customs and Border Protection so she
Remembering Muhlaysia Booker – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Muhlaysia Booker, a 23-year-old black transgender woman, was attacked by a mob in April 2019. She spoke out against this violence saying, “This time, I can stand before you … whereas in other scenarios, we are at a memorial.”On May
Remembering Bee Love Slater – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Bee Love Slater was 23 years old when she was murdered on September 4th, 2019. Her body was pulled from her vehicle, burned beyond recognition. The county sheriff said, “This homicide has been one of the most gruesome homicides I’ve
Remembering Dana Martin – If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
Dana Martin was a 31 year old transgender woman of color. She was found in a roadside ditch in her vehicle with a fatal gunshot wound on January 6th, 2019. She was pronounced dead at the scene. She was initially
If You Could See Them Through My Eyes – A virtual art exhibit
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
Northern Michigan People’s Pride T-Shirt – Tye Dye – 2019 Limited Edition Release
***Limited Edition Design *** Wear Your Pride! This is the Pride t-shirt design for the 2019 month of Pride, but with added flare! Locally made t-shirt from Tee See Tee with hand dyed tye dye love from Northern Michigan People’s … Continued
Love Is Love T-Shirt – Tye Dye – 2018 Limited Edition Release
***Limited Edition Design *** Wear Your Pride! This is the first Pride t-shirt design for the 2018 month of Pride, but with added flare! Locally made t-shirt from Tee See Tee with hand dyed tye dye love from Northern Michigan … Continued
Northern Michigan People’s Pride T-Shirt – 2019
***Limited Edition Design *** Wear Your Pride! This is the Pride t-shirt design for the 2019 month of Pride. Locally made t-shirt from Tee See Tee with Northern Michigan People’s Pride founder’s design. Limited availability while supplies last! … Continued
Love Is Love Sticker – 2018 Limited Edition Release
***Limited Edition Design *** Wear Your Pride! This is the first Pride sticker design for the 2018 month of Pride. Pinups & Needles is all about the love, no matter what kind of love you hold, this sticker will be … Continued
Love Is Love T-Shirt – 2018 Limited Edition Release
***Limited Edition Design *** Wear Your Pride! This is the first Pride t-shirt design for the 2018 month of Pride. Pinups & Needles is all about the love, no matter what kind of love you hold, this shirt will be … Continued
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