Cleveland’s LGBT Center Celebrates Black History Month with Groundbreaking Art Showcase
CLEVELAND — This February, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland launched its inaugural Black History Month Showcase, featuring the work of over a dozen Black LGBTQ+ artists. The event underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the intersection of Black and queer identities, providing a vibrant platform for voices often overlooked throughout history.
The closing reception for the exhibit took place recently, drawing in community members to honor not only the rich tapestry of Black history but also those who continue to contribute to the ongoing LGBTQ movement. Among the featured artists is Monique Donesia, who has been creating art since childhood. “I think that’s the most exciting thing to me … having the opportunity to be in this space, and bridging art with community and queerness,” she expressed.
Donesia’s piece, titled “Ma’s Maasia’s on the Wall,” is a powerful homage to her Jamaican roots. Utilizing acrylic paint and ink, she crafted an abstract work that draws inspiration from the African masks that adorned her childhood home. “She easily had over 100 masks on the wall,” Donesia recalled, emphasizing how these cultural artifacts inform her artistic vision.
Visual artist Jazzee Rozier, who leads the showcase, highlighted the necessity of presenting a diverse narrative of the Black queer community. “It’s important to show that a Black queer community exists and that we aren’t a monolith,” they stated. Rozier, who identifies by she/they pronouns, noted the significance of making visible the stories that contribute to Black history as a whole.
Statistics indicate that over one million adults in the United States identify as both Black and LGBTQ+, according to the Williams Institute. Yet, Rozier argues that Black queer narratives are often sidelined in discussions about historical achievements. “When it comes to highlighting Black lives, often I see a lot of brushing over the queer voices that added to the impact of what we see today,” they said. Figures like Audre Lorde and James Baldwin remain crucial reference points, but their queer identities are frequently unacknowledged in mainstream discussions.
Anisa Genesis, another featured artist and multi-disciplinary creative from Warrensville Heights, presented self-directed photos that explore themes of identity and religious symbolism. Her piece, “Born Twice,” challenges societal standards regarding gender and presentation. “This is a very loaded work … exploring how I never really felt like … I fit this standard,” she explained. Genesis emphasized the importance of recognizing that today’s Black queer artists are actively contributing to Black history, not just honoring those who came before.
“We are Black history,” Genesis proclaimed, reinforcing the idea that the work created by contemporary artists forms part of an ongoing historical narrative. She hopes her art will inspire others to share their own stories. “Just being a queer Black woman, I’ve been nothing but outside the box,” she said. “Instead of feeling ashamed I just had to learn to embrace it.”
This showcase not only celebrates individual works of art but also acts as a catalyst for broader conversations about representation within Black history. It provides an essential reminder of the multitude of experiences and identities that intersect in the narratives of Black lives in America.
As we move forward, it’s clear that platforms like the LGBT Community Center’s Black History Month Showcase play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and awareness. The acknowledgment and celebration of Black queer artists can contribute to breaking down societal divides, nurturing community bonds, and inspiring future generations to tell their own stories.
The implications for recognition and representation are profound. As artists like Donesia and Genesis continue to push boundaries and share their voices, they pave the way for a more inclusive dialogue about the complexities of identity and the richness of shared histories. In a time when identity politics remain a contentious issue, events like this serve as important reminders of our collective journeys, urging us to connect rather than isolate.
The future of art in advocacy for social issues looks brighter with every brushstroke and every shared story, highlighting the ongoing need to celebrate all facets of Black history and the essential contributions of queer voices.
