22 September 2012
6:22 pm – 4:23 am
RADAR 88 – Hugs and Kisses
Art against homophobia.
Vigil : Bring Back the
Stolen Light.
Dearest Friends,
As an artist and member of the GBLT and Two-Spirit community and as a fellow human being, I would like to invite you and your friends and family to this art exhibition during Nuit Blanche Ottawa 2012.
Whether subtle or blatant, homophobia is insidious and pervasive in our society. It is in our schools, our workplace, our laws and our government. As a reaction to GBLT and Two-Spirit youth suicide as a result of homophobia, I was compelled to do something to heal the GBLT and Two-Spirit community and those who love and support it.
In creating a space of support, sharing, witnessing and action we can directly intervene and stop homophobia on a daily basis, be it at school, work, in a family setting and in the world by publicly challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about the GBLT and Two-Spirit community.
During this exhibit, I will be painting figures representing those who have been, who are and will be put to society's pyre because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. It is unfortunate and profoundly disturbing to witness the loss of so many who will never be able to be a part of this world's beauty or share their love of it again.
At dusk, I will ask that anyone who has been the target of homophobia, witnessed it or been its author to light a candle and place it on the sacred space surrounding the symbolic pyre of this exhibit as a pledge of engagement towards healing, letting go of hatred and hurt, and intervening in any event where there should be homophobia from this point on. This will be a sacred space for communion to bring everyone in love's light. Let us commemorate those who have left us too early and remember their courage. The time has come for healing to take place.
Bring with you the warm memories and the courage of those who have been lost. Now is a time for healing and self-engagement.
Please forward this invitation to anyone who would be interested, but especially to those you know who would need to be exposed to the truth behind the many faces of homophobia.
I hope this event will allow everyone to share each other's stories, reach out to those who are struggling with homophobia in their lives as well as those who suffer in silence, and galvanize society against this type of violence before it is too late.
Homophobia has been too long accepted in Canadian society and in the world in general.
Art is love; it mends all broken spirits.
Hopefully, this event will allow for some mending to happen and a bit more love to flower within the world.
Denis Mateo
