This triangular quilt is 53.5″ across the top and 47″ down the middle. This is the second of three quilts I have created in response to the anti LGBTQ+ legislation happening in the United States. Not only have laws actually been passed in some states that make non-heterosexuality something wrong to acknowledge or speak about in public, there are laws in many other states that are hoping to do the same or go to even further extremes when it comes to relegating non-heterosexuals into a category of subhuman in this country. The conservative Supreme Court recently struck down Roe v. Wade, which means women’s reproductive rights have taken a huge hit. And many believe the right to same-sex marriage will be next on SCOTUS’s list.
The design of this quilt was inspired by the Silence=Death graphic created in the 1980s to bring awareness to the AIDS crisis. The creators were inspired by the pink triangles the Nazis forced homosexuals to wear during the Holocaust, but the designers inverted the triangle as a way of symbolizing empowerment instead of victimization. I have chosen to turn the triangle back to its original orientation, not to necessarily symbolize victimization, but to indicate my fear that current political actions and rhetoric are creating an atmosphere of grave danger for our community.
The piecing method was inspired by Chawne Kimber, a brilliant quiltmaker and artist who has created several quilts that have pieced words to make a statement. The quilting itself is made up of my thoughts concerning these troubling times. This idea was inspired by Faith Ringgold, who has created several art quilts where she writes her thoughts, feelings, and stories on the actual quilt. I have also been greatly influenced by Sylvia Hernandez and her prolific collection of powerful statement quilts.
The message of the quilting is as follows.
My existence is not a political statement. Stop treating my sexuality like it is debatable. Non-heterosexuals have existed since the beginning of humanity in all cultures and geographies. The only people who fear those who are not heterosexual are people who fear their own inner truth. Growing up in a society where being LGBTQ+ is still cause for stigma and possibly even death, it is infuriating that our governments are making it even more dangerous for people to accept who they are. This quilt was inspired by the Silence=Death graphic created to bring vital attention to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Today, I would never tell someone afraid of coming out that silence equals death because speaking up may actually cause their death at the hands of those in their community or family. But I can speak up. And if you feel safe doing so, please, use whatever method you can to speak up, too. Hold our lawmakers accountable for ALL of the lives they have sworn to protect. Let love conquer fear.
Boy Meets Quilt 