2nd Place

Binder

@quinnchworm

This piece is inspired by the gender euphoria of wearing a binder. For many people in the transgender community, myself included, the chest can be a prime source of dysphoria. A binder is a form of gender affirming care that compresses the chest and can help people feel more comfortable in their own skin. I wanted my piece to express the joy and contentment of wearing a binder. The happiness of the piece represents the elation of finally being able to express yourself how you want and find comfort with how your body appears. Binders play a crucial role in the transgender community and are important to transgender gratification, comfort, and life.

What does “Louder” mean to you as an LGBTQIA2S+ artist, and how did that show up in your artwork?:

For me, “Louder” means being bold, proud, and confident in my identity. So many people try to shut down and shame queer expression, which makes it even more important for me to express my identity unapologetically. I love being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and expressing that part of myself. Queer joy is just as important to honor and celebrate as queer hardships, struggles, and resistance. As an artist, I use my art to convey my LGBTQ+ identities and experiences. Using color is a significant part of my artistic voice and consistently appears in my queer art. Many pieces of mine utilize bright or even unnatural shades, which emphasize the emotions I am trying to convey. As for the art I enjoy creating, I especially love to make art surrounding non-binary/transgender themes, such as my piece from the contest, “Binder.” The transgender experience has been tarnished and stereotyped by bigots, making transitioning seem inhumane and mutilating. However, the truth is quite the opposite. There are multiple forms of gender affirming care, from haircuts to hormones to surgery. All of them are important in saving and improving transgender lives. The joy and euphoria I feel from binding is unmatched, and being able to bind has made me all the happier. Showing and illustrating my queer expression, loudly and proudly, is important both for myself and my community.

What role does queer joy play in your life and in your art?:

Queer joy shows up in many aspects of my life. For one, I find it through spending time with my friends and family who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. My queer communities make me feel safe, understood, and encouraged. When I am able to see these loved ones thrive, whether it be directly tied to their identity or not, that is a form of queer joy. I love being able to celebrate their successes and support them on their journeys. My community is something I value deeply and care for immensely. I also find a lot of queer joy through identity expression. I do this often through clothing, hair, or drag. I have found so much happiness in being able to style my hair and clothes in a way that fits how I perceive myself. Discovering and getting involved with drag has also been very exciting as I have gotten more into it this past year. And, of course, another form of expression I love is creating art. Art is my greatest passion, and some of my favorite, most important pieces I have made have been about queer happiness and expression. Being able to represent my experiences and community is very gratifying. Creating queer art is not only enjoyable but also a huge source of queer joy for me.

What would you say to young queer and or trans youth who are looking for or struggling to find queer joy?:

In the current state of our country and government, it can be difficult to find queer and trans joy. When there is so much bad happening, it can be hard to focus on the good. Nevertheless, even during trying times, queer joy can always be found. You can find it within your close community, no matter how small. Find joy in your found family and friends, and keep them close. You can also find joy by expressing your identity. Value the forms in which you can express yourself, whether it be through clothing, art, writing, or whatever else affirms your gender and sexuality. Queer joy can even be found by looking to the stories of fellow LGBTQ+ individuals, both past and present. Trans and queer elders represent how our community has and will continue to exist. They are living proof that you can persist and live your life authentically. Looking at LGBTQ+ history shows us that we have always been here and have the power to keep living as we want to be. You are never alone in your experiences, and your queer community is here to support you.