our activism is continuing to evolve when the next phase of where loves
when the next phase of where loves
when the next phase of where loves illegal is endeavouring to leverage our
illegal is endeavouring to leverage our
illegal is endeavouring to leverage our storytelling skills so we can further
storytelling skills so we can further
storytelling skills so we can further amplify the voices of LGBT qi+
amplify the voices of LGBT qi+
amplify the voices of LGBT qi+ communities around the world
communities around the world
communities around the world and we’re doing just that in Jamaica
and we’re doing just that in Jamaica
and we’re doing just that in Jamaica last month we were recording stories of
last month we were recording stories of
last month we were recording stories of survival so for the photo interested
survival so for the photo interested
survival so for the photo interested people here you know we shifted here
people here you know we shifted here
people here you know we shifted here from the four by five film list this is
from the four by five film list this is
from the four by five film list this is now 8 by 10 that we use I just make my
now 8 by 10 that we use I just make my
now 8 by 10 that we use I just make my life more and more difficult but we
life more and more difficult but we
life more and more difficult but we asked everyone to write their own
asked everyone to write their own
asked everyone to write their own testimonies and but we sort of also
testimonies and but we sort of also
testimonies and but we sort of also moved up with technology as well and
moved up with technology as well and
moved up with technology as well and rather than just writing them and like
rather than just writing them and like
rather than just writing them and like me photographing their testimonies we
me photographing their testimonies we
me photographing their testimonies we asked people to read them and I and I
asked people to read them and I and I
asked people to read them and I and I filmed them so in the spirit of having
filmed them so in the spirit of having
filmed them so in the spirit of having of amplifying voices we’re gonna listen
of amplifying voices we’re gonna listen
of amplifying voices we’re gonna listen to my hi my name is Monique I like to be
to my hi my name is Monique I like to be
to my hi my name is Monique I like to be called more I am an out member of the
called more I am an out member of the
called more I am an out member of the Jamaican LGBTQ community Jamaicans are
Jamaican LGBTQ community Jamaicans are
Jamaican LGBTQ community Jamaicans are very intolerant and homophobic
very intolerant and homophobic
very intolerant and homophobic nonetheless I live my life fearlessly it
nonetheless I live my life fearlessly it
nonetheless I live my life fearlessly it takes a lot of courage to live and open
takes a lot of courage to live and open
takes a lot of courage to live and open the gay life in a place like Jamaica
the gay life in a place like Jamaica
the gay life in a place like Jamaica where people are so violent towards gay
where people are so violent towards gay
where people are so violent towards gay people to be honest I’m always on the
people to be honest I’m always on the
people to be honest I’m always on the alert and really on the defensive
alert and really on the defensive
alert and really on the defensive because when you have a predominantly me
because when you have a predominantly me
because when you have a predominantly me look like I do you can never tell when
look like I do you can never tell when
look like I do you can never tell when you may become a target
you may become a target
you may become a target I am always cognizant of that and ready
I am always cognizant of that and ready
I am always cognizant of that and ready to go in the fence mode I really love
to go in the fence mode I really love
to go in the fence mode I really love Jamaica it’s a beautiful place it’s my
Jamaica it’s a beautiful place it’s my
Jamaica it’s a beautiful place it’s my homeland I just wish it were a safer
homeland I just wish it were a safer
homeland I just wish it were a safer place for LGBTQ Jamaicans to Live Love
place for LGBTQ Jamaicans to Live Love
place for LGBTQ Jamaicans to Live Love Laugh be happy and to be free to be who
Laugh be happy and to be free to be who
Laugh be happy and to be free to be who we are
so given that no we are witness change
so given that no we are witness change and this that change part is an
and this that change part is an
and this that change part is an important part of what we do we know
important part of what we do we know
important part of what we do we know that recording these you know nice
that recording these you know nice
that recording these you know nice stories it’s not enough and so we asked
stories it’s not enough and so we asked
stories it’s not enough and so we asked ourselves what what more can we do
ourselves what what more can we do
ourselves what what more can we do rather than other than just document
rather than other than just document
rather than other than just document stories so this next phase also it’s
stories so this next phase also it’s
stories so this next phase also it’s about working closer with LGBT groups on
about working closer with LGBT groups on
about working closer with LGBT groups on the ground so we decided to do in
the ground so we decided to do in
the ground so we decided to do in addition to portraits we’ve started to
addition to portraits we’ve started to
addition to portraits we’ve started to do workshops in the country where we
do workshops in the country where we
do workshops in the country where we where these stories are being recorded
where these stories are being recorded
where these stories are being recorded and we’re working with the communities
and we’re working with the communities
and we’re working with the communities there with the aim that we hope that we
there with the aim that we hope that we
there with the aim that we hope that we can have stories start to come from the
can have stories start to come from the
can have stories start to come from the community and not just be about the
community and not just be about the
community and not just be about the community so furthermore we’ve there’s
community so furthermore we’ve there’s
community so furthermore we’ve there’s more story making right and we still
more story making right and we still
more story making right and we still need to have those stories make a
need to have those stories make a
need to have those stories make a difference
difference
difference so I set with the LGBT activist and we
so I set with the LGBT activist and we
so I set with the LGBT activist and we talked about how how can these stories
talked about how how can these stories
talked about how how can these stories make an impact locally so we
make an impact locally so we
make an impact locally so we brainstormed about different different
brainstormed about different different
brainstormed about different different ideas of how story making can impact on
ideas of how story making can impact on
ideas of how story making can impact on the ground and came up with an idea so
the ground and came up with an idea so
the ground and came up with an idea so many times when I was working in Jamaica
many times when I was working in Jamaica
many times when I was working in Jamaica people you know this the reoccurring
people you know this the reoccurring
people you know this the reoccurring theme was this conversation about
theme was this conversation about
theme was this conversation about navigating safe places and I don’t know
navigating safe places and I don’t know
navigating safe places and I don’t know what it meant at the time but they
what it meant at the time but they
what it meant at the time but they explained means so the they talked about
explained means so the they talked about
explained means so the they talked about there are places that they can literally
there are places that they can literally
there are places that they can literally where they fear for their lives
where they fear for their lives
where they fear for their lives and they just described this dangerous
and they just described this dangerous
and they just described this dangerous mob mentality where one of two things
mob mentality where one of two things
mob mentality where one of two things will happen if they face abuse in the
will happen if they face abuse in the
will happen if they face abuse in the street which is really sadly so either
street which is really sadly so either
street which is really sadly so either you’ll have someone call out homophobic
you’ll have someone call out homophobic
you’ll have someone call out homophobic or transphobic abuse and everyone will
or transphobic abuse and everyone will
or transphobic abuse and everyone will fall silent or worse people join in and
fall silent or worse people join in and
fall silent or worse people join in and you have this mob mentality where you
you have this mob mentality where you
you have this mob mentality where you know it becomes where things escalate
know it becomes where things escalate
know it becomes where things escalate and becomes very very dangerous but what
and becomes very very dangerous but what
and becomes very very dangerous but what there is not is people standing up for
there is not is people standing up for
there is not is people standing up for them so there’s that on on one hand the
them so there’s that on on one hand the
them so there’s that on on one hand the other thing which they complained about
other thing which they complained about
other thing which they complained about a lot is that 10 years ago Time magazine
a lot is that 10 years ago Time magazine
a lot is that 10 years ago Time magazine did a story
did a story
did a story naming Jamaica is the most homophobic
naming Jamaica is the most homophobic
naming Jamaica is the most homophobic country in the world ten years later
country in the world ten years later
country in the world ten years later they’re still pretty pissed about it
they’re still pretty pissed about it
they’re still pretty pissed about it and and so they would explain to me that
and and so they would explain to me that
and and so they would explain to me that actually there are many allies in
actually there are many allies in
actually there are many allies in Jamaica it’s just that they too don’t
Jamaica it’s just that they too don’t
Jamaica it’s just that they too don’t want to come forward cuz they face
want to come forward cuz they face
want to come forward cuz they face ridicule as well so they wanted to
ridicule as well so they wanted to
ridicule as well so they wanted to create a campaign where they could use
create a campaign where they could use
create a campaign where they could use the stories they write in a form of a
the stories they write in a form of a
the stories they write in a form of a letter and photographs in order to
letter and photographs in order to
letter and photographs in order to interact and engage allies and directly
interact and engage allies and directly
interact and engage allies and directly request that these allies sign a pledge
request that these allies sign a pledge
request that these allies sign a pledge to take a stand for them when they need
to take a stand for them when they need
to take a stand for them when they need their help so we’re in the very early
their help so we’re in the very early
their help so we’re in the very early stages of this work but what I’m gonna
stages of this work but what I’m gonna
stages of this work but what I’m gonna do is share with you one story written
do is share with you one story written
do is share with you one story written by Christina the the line is rubbish she
by Christina the the line is rubbish she
by Christina the the line is rubbish she recorded it on her phone from Jamaica
recorded it on her phone from Jamaica
recorded it on her phone from Jamaica and sent it to us it’s very kind of her
and sent it to us it’s very kind of her
and sent it to us it’s very kind of her but what’s really interesting is it not
but what’s really interesting is it not
but what’s really interesting is it not only is a request for allies but she’s
only is a request for allies but she’s
only is a request for allies but she’s coming out in this letter to some of her
coming out in this letter to some of her
coming out in this letter to some of her close friends and you know listen to her
close friends and you know listen to her
close friends and you know listen to her already in her letter she she knows what
already in her letter she she knows what
already in her letter she she knows what they’re going to say and she’s already
they’re going to say and she’s already
they’re going to say and she’s already sort of pre-empting their argument so
sort of pre-empting their argument so
sort of pre-empting their argument so you can it’s interesting to hear what
you can it’s interesting to hear what
you can it’s interesting to hear what she how she expresses that
by the time you read this I will have
by the time you read this I will have told you that I am bisexual to be
told you that I am bisexual to be
told you that I am bisexual to be completely honest I cannot predict how
completely honest I cannot predict how
completely honest I cannot predict how you will be responding or what thoughts
you will be responding or what thoughts
you will be responding or what thoughts will be running through your minds
will be running through your minds
will be running through your minds you’ll probably be asking why is your
you’ll probably be asking why is your
you’ll probably be asking why is your friend bisexual what can you do to
friend bisexual what can you do to
friend bisexual what can you do to change who I am will she ever be happy
change who I am will she ever be happy
change who I am will she ever be happy what will everyone else think the first
what will everyone else think the first
what will everyone else think the first thing I want you to know is that I have
thing I want you to know is that I have
thing I want you to know is that I have always been bisexual this is not a
always been bisexual this is not a
always been bisexual this is not a temporary phase and it is not something
temporary phase and it is not something
temporary phase and it is not something I ever chose or decided to me I’ve
I ever chose or decided to me I’ve
I ever chose or decided to me I’ve thought about it a lot and as best as I
thought about it a lot and as best as I
thought about it a lot and as best as I can remember I first knew I was bisexual
can remember I first knew I was bisexual
can remember I first knew I was bisexual at age 10 or 11 but even years earlier I
at age 10 or 11 but even years earlier I
at age 10 or 11 but even years earlier I knew I was different I am completely
knew I was different I am completely
knew I was different I am completely convinced that being bisexual is the way
convinced that being bisexual is the way
convinced that being bisexual is the way I was born and nothing you or anyone
I was born and nothing you or anyone
I was born and nothing you or anyone else ever did made me bisexual my
else ever did made me bisexual my
else ever did made me bisexual my natural orientation and preference is
natural orientation and preference is
natural orientation and preference is towards men and women and as for it
towards men and women and as for it
towards men and women and as for it being a choice my only choice as I see
being a choice my only choice as I see
being a choice my only choice as I see it has been whether to be open and
it has been whether to be open and
it has been whether to be open and honest about my feelings
honest about my feelings
honest about my feelings or to continue to deny and hide them
or to continue to deny and hide them
or to continue to deny and hide them being bisexual is simply part of who I
being bisexual is simply part of who I
being bisexual is simply part of who I am and the parts I’ve been longing to
am and the parts I’ve been longing to
am and the parts I’ve been longing to share with you for quite some time the
share with you for quite some time the
share with you for quite some time the question of telling you has been without
question of telling you has been without
question of telling you has been without doubt the ultimate pressing issue and my
doubt the ultimate pressing issue and my
doubt the ultimate pressing issue and my mind for quite a few years I knew it was
mind for quite a few years I knew it was
mind for quite a few years I knew it was something that would eventually have to
something that would eventually have to
something that would eventually have to be done of course there was always the
be done of course there was always the
be done of course there was always the possibility that I could just never tell
possibility that I could just never tell
possibility that I could just never tell you and keep that part of my life
you and keep that part of my life
you and keep that part of my life permanently hidden from you for one you
permanently hidden from you for one you
permanently hidden from you for one you are too close and too important to me
are too close and too important to me
are too close and too important to me for me to keep such an important part of
for me to keep such an important part of
for me to keep such an important part of my life from you up till now I have by
my life from you up till now I have by
my life from you up till now I have by default excluded you from this part of
default excluded you from this part of
default excluded you from this part of my life but it has become painful to
my life but it has become painful to
my life but it has become painful to keep something so important to me hidden
keep something so important to me hidden
keep something so important to me hidden from you I love and appreciate you Trish
from you I love and appreciate you Trish
from you I love and appreciate you Trish on Kristin Chantal and I want to give
on Kristin Chantal and I want to give
on Kristin Chantal and I want to give you the opportunity to share this part
you the opportunity to share this part
you the opportunity to share this part of my life with me I would really
of my life with me I would really
of my life with me I would really appreciate our continuous love and
appreciate our continuous love and
appreciate our continuous love and support to cushion the blow
support to cushion the blow
support to cushion the blow and discrimination from the wider
and discrimination from the wider
and discrimination from the wider society understand with me and publicly
society understand with me and publicly
society understand with me and publicly say you will support me despite me being
say you will support me despite me being
say you will support me despite me being bisexual my greatest fear is to be
bisexual my greatest fear is to be
bisexual my greatest fear is to be rejected by the people I expect to be
rejected by the people I expect to be
rejected by the people I expect to be there for me so I’m really hoping that
there for me so I’m really hoping that
there for me so I’m really hoping that you don’t I want you to remember to shun
you don’t I want you to remember to shun
you don’t I want you to remember to shun christen and shun tile that I’m the same
christen and shun tile that I’m the same
christen and shun tile that I’m the same person to be that I was yesterday
person to be that I was yesterday
person to be that I was yesterday I still want to enjoy being with you
I still want to enjoy being with you
I still want to enjoy being with you only know you know a little bit more
only know you know a little bit more
only know you know a little bit more about me and we know have before us a
about me and we know have before us a
about me and we know have before us a tremendous opportunity to become closer
tremendous opportunity to become closer
tremendous opportunity to become closer than we ever have been a chance to share
than we ever have been a chance to share
than we ever have been a chance to share all my hopes and aspirations for my life
all my hopes and aspirations for my life
all my hopes and aspirations for my life I still love you and will always love
I still love you and will always love
I still love you and will always love you just the same and I hope you’ll be
you just the same and I hope you’ll be
you just the same and I hope you’ll be there for me will you be my Ally so
there for me will you be my Ally so
there for me will you be my Ally so here’s our group in Jamaica and they and
here’s our group in Jamaica and they and
here’s our group in Jamaica and they and we are very excited about making this
we are very excited about making this
we are very excited about making this project a reality so but you know
project a reality so but you know
project a reality so but you know despite the success that we’ve had as
despite the success that we’ve had as
despite the success that we’ve had as where love is legal and disseminating
where love is legal and disseminating
where love is legal and disseminating and sharing these voices and amplifying
and sharing these voices and amplifying
and sharing these voices and amplifying voices one of our continuous struggles
voices one of our continuous struggles
voices one of our continuous struggles is funding so this is the one and only
is funding so this is the one and only
is funding so this is the one and only plug I’m gonna make tonight and that is
plug I’m gonna make tonight and that is
plug I’m gonna make tonight and that is that you know we need fifteen thousand
that you know we need fifteen thousand
that you know we need fifteen thousand dollars to make this happen and if
dollars to make this happen and if
dollars to make this happen and if anyone is feeling particularly generous
anyone is feeling particularly generous
anyone is feeling particularly generous please let me know we’re a registered
please let me know we’re a registered
please let me know we’re a registered charity and 501 C 3 tax deductible we’ll
charity and 501 C 3 tax deductible we’ll
charity and 501 C 3 tax deductible we’ll make good use of your money so we keep
make good use of your money so we keep
make good use of your money so we keep you moving on with this with this idea
you moving on with this with this idea
you moving on with this with this idea that you know if we can create locally
that you know if we can create locally
that you know if we can create locally produced anti-stigma campaigns that’s a
produced anti-stigma campaigns that’s a
produced anti-stigma campaigns that’s a really effective way that we can be
really effective way that we can be
really effective way that we can be using storytelling so next week on
using storytelling so next week on
using storytelling so next week on Wednesday I’ll be going to Tunisia where
Wednesday I’ll be going to Tunisia where
Wednesday I’ll be going to Tunisia where this work will continue the other thing
this work will continue the other thing
this work will continue the other thing that I just want to point out is that
that I just want to point out is that
that I just want to point out is that most of this work that we’ve been doing
most of this work that we’ve been doing
most of this work that we’ve been doing so far has been in developing countries
so far has been in developing countries
so far has been in developing countries and most of this work has been done in
and most of this work has been done in
and most of this work has been done in the 75 countries where same 6x are
the 75 countries where same 6x are
the 75 countries where same 6x are illegal but we are acutely aware that
illegal but we are acutely aware that
illegal but we are acutely aware that the struggle goes on in many countries
the struggle goes on in many countries
the struggle goes on in many countries around the world including this one
around the world including this one
around the world including this one and one of the I mean you know we are
and one of the I mean you know we are
and one of the I mean you know we are aware because we we read the news and
aware because we we read the news and
aware because we we read the news and but also we’re aware because many of the
but also we’re aware because many of the
but also we’re aware because many of the people who share their stories with us
people who share their stories with us
people who share their stories with us people like CJ from here in this country
people like CJ from here in this country
people like CJ from here in this country so the next country after day after
so the next country after day after
so the next country after day after Tunisia the next chapter is we would
Tunisia the next chapter is we would
Tunisia the next chapter is we would like to do where loves illegal USA you
like to do where loves illegal USA you
like to do where loves illegal USA you know there’s been some really great
know there’s been some really great
know there’s been some really great gains in this country but those gains
gains in this country but those gains
gains in this country but those gains are fragile and we think it’s really
are fragile and we think it’s really
are fragile and we think it’s really important that lgbtqia+ voices continue
important that lgbtqia+ voices continue
important that lgbtqia+ voices continue to be heard in a significant way in this
to be heard in a significant way in this
to be heard in a significant way in this country so that those we don’t risk
country so that those we don’t risk
country so that those we don’t risk having those gains disappear
having those gains disappear
having those gains disappear not only that while there are gains
not only that while there are gains
not only that while there are gains there’s also massive progress still in
there’s also massive progress still in
there’s also massive progress still in many many areas for many people so we
many many areas for many people so we
many many areas for many people so we think in particular you know we want to
think in particular you know we want to
think in particular you know we want to be able to make some strong work about
be able to make some strong work about
be able to make some strong work about transgender people of color and homeless
transgender people of color and homeless
transgender people of color and homeless use and other issues that other very
use and other issues that other very
use and other issues that other very vulnerable groups so okay second plug if
vulnerable groups so okay second plug if
vulnerable groups so okay second plug if you’re interested in doing anything on
you’re interested in doing anything on
you’re interested in doing anything on where loves legal USA let me know we
where loves legal USA let me know we
where loves legal USA let me know we need funding for that as well so you
need funding for that as well so you
need funding for that as well so you know we’re proud of the work that we’ve
know we’re proud of the work that we’ve
know we’re proud of the work that we’ve done but we also recognize it it’s just
done but we also recognize it it’s just
done but we also recognize it it’s just been a beginning and we know it’s just
been a beginning and we know it’s just
been a beginning and we know it’s just the beginning because most days we
the beginning because most days we
the beginning because most days we receive messages from people around the
receive messages from people around the
receive messages from people around the world you know sharing their experiences
world you know sharing their experiences
world you know sharing their experiences and we actually feel like we’re in a
and we actually feel like we’re in a
and we actually feel like we’re in a desperate rush because we know that
desperate rush because we know that
desperate rush because we know that every day today this week last weekend
every day today this week last weekend
every day today this week last weekend next week every single day people are
next week every single day people are
next week every single day people are dying because some consider who they are
dying because some consider who they are
dying because some consider who they are or who they love to be unacceptable
or who they love to be unacceptable
or who they love to be unacceptable unfortunately our intervention was too
unfortunately our intervention was too
unfortunately our intervention was too late for be be died just three months
late for be be died just three months
late for be be died just three months after this photograph was taken
after this photograph was taken
after this photograph was taken he wasn’t executed or murdered like many
he wasn’t executed or murdered like many
he wasn’t executed or murdered like many others in his situation he was killed by
others in his situation he was killed by
others in his situation he was killed by poverty so we have to understand that to
poverty so we have to understand that to
poverty so we have to understand that to be LGBT in many countries is to be this
be LGBT in many countries is to be this
be LGBT in many countries is to be this really poor it means to be thrown out of
really poor it means to be thrown out of
really poor it means to be thrown out of schools and jobs abandoned by families
schools and jobs abandoned by families
schools and jobs abandoned by families forced to flee abuse and so many end up
forced to flee abuse and so many end up
forced to flee abuse and so many end up on the margins of society
on the margins of society
on the margins of society I met be in the the tin shack that was
I met be in the the tin shack that was
I met be in the the tin shack that was his home in Cape Town South Africa he
his home in Cape Town South Africa he
his home in Cape Town South Africa he fled to Cape Town from Kenya I sat with
fled to Cape Town from Kenya I sat with
fled to Cape Town from Kenya I sat with him on this tiny little bed with my arm
him on this tiny little bed with my arm
him on this tiny little bed with my arm around him trying to comfort him as he
around him trying to comfort him as he
around him trying to comfort him as he wept about the man he dreamed of
wept about the man he dreamed of
wept about the man he dreamed of marrying a man who was now did he told
marrying a man who was now did he told
marrying a man who was now did he told me about the his relationship with this
me about the his relationship with this
me about the his relationship with this man he told me how it was a first sight
man he told me how it was a first sight
man he told me how it was a first sight love and he told me about the
love and he told me about the
love and he told me about the apprehension of introducing his partner
apprehension of introducing his partner
apprehension of introducing his partner to his family and he told me about
to his family and he told me about
to his family and he told me about running away from the mob at his
running away from the mob at his
running away from the mob at his engagement party who were intent on
engagement party who were intent on
engagement party who were intent on killing them and he told me about his
killing them and he told me about his
killing them and he told me about his fiancee being stabbed in the chest and
fiancee being stabbed in the chest and
fiancee being stabbed in the chest and he wept because he was heartbroken and
he wept because he was heartbroken and
he wept because he was heartbroken and he wept because he was too poor to pay
he wept because he was too poor to pay
he wept because he was too poor to pay his rent and would be evicted any day
his rent and would be evicted any day
his rent and would be evicted any day and he wept because he saw no future and
and he wept because he saw no future and
and he wept because he saw no future and in the end this lovely man died because
in the end this lovely man died because
in the end this lovely man died because bigotry had made him too poor to be able
bigotry had made him too poor to be able
bigotry had made him too poor to be able to afford the medical care he needed one
to afford the medical care he needed one
to afford the medical care he needed one of his friends informed me of his death
of his friends informed me of his death
of his friends informed me of his death and he told me that there was nothing to
and he told me that there was nothing to
and he told me that there was nothing to remember me by
remember me by
remember me by except for his story and he begged that
except for his story and he begged that
except for his story and he begged that I tell it so that we would remember be
I tell it so that we would remember be
I tell it so that we would remember be even if it was only a sad memory so here
even if it was only a sad memory so here
even if it was only a sad memory so here I am telling you about be like I do
I am telling you about be like I do
I am telling you about be like I do whenever I get the chance to talk about
whenever I get the chance to talk about
whenever I get the chance to talk about this work in the hope that his memory
this work in the hope that his memory
this work in the hope that his memory will survive and the tragic story of his
will survive and the tragic story of his
will survive and the tragic story of his life can serve to save the lives of
life can serve to save the lives of
life can serve to save the lives of others as sad as B’s story is the more
others as sad as B’s story is the more
others as sad as B’s story is the more sad thing is that there’s thousands like
sad thing is that there’s thousands like
sad thing is that there’s thousands like being but that doesn’t have to be the
being but that doesn’t have to be the
being but that doesn’t have to be the case I believe that we cannot care less
case I believe that we cannot care less
case I believe that we cannot care less for people because they are further away
for people because they are further away
for people because they are further away of a different religion nationality skin
of a different religion nationality skin
of a different religion nationality skin color gender or sexuality with
color gender or sexuality with
color gender or sexuality with witnessing comes responsibility and with
witnessing comes responsibility and with
witnessing comes responsibility and with privilege comes obligation and none of
privilege comes obligation and none of
privilege comes obligation and none of us lesbian gay trans by intersex
us lesbian gay trans by intersex
us lesbian gay trans by intersex straight and none of us are free until
straight and none of us are free until
straight and none of us are free until we are all free
we are all free
we are all free the survivors whose stories I’ve shared
the survivors whose stories I’ve shared
the survivors whose stories I’ve shared with you tonight told them in the hope
with you tonight told them in the hope
with you tonight told them in the hope that people would listen and their lives
that people would listen and their lives
that people would listen and their lives in the lives of people in their
in the lives of people in their
in the lives of people in their community would become more free for
community would become more free for
community would become more free for many as the first time their shared for
many as the first time their shared for
many as the first time their shared for many of their first step into activism
many of their first step into activism
many of their first step into activism do you know shared their story because
do you know shared their story because
do you know shared their story because they hoped people would hear their
they hoped people would hear their
they hoped people would hear their voices before they were attacked they
voices before they were attacked they
voices before they were attacked they were not activists appearing in this
were not activists appearing in this
were not activists appearing in this photo was the their first act to defy
photo was the their first act to defy
photo was the their first act to defy those who would deny their love this
those who would deny their love this
those who would deny their love this young Russian couple were attacked
young Russian couple were attacked
young Russian couple were attacked because they dared to walk in the street
because they dared to walk in the street
because they dared to walk in the street holding hands they wrote the as everyone
holding hands they wrote the as everyone
holding hands they wrote the as everyone did they wrote their testimony but they
did they wrote their testimony but they
did they wrote their testimony but they wrote it as a dialogue between each
wrote it as a dialogue between each
wrote it as a dialogue between each other a paragraph each describing the
other a paragraph each describing the
other a paragraph each describing the night as it occurred but something
night as it occurred but something
night as it occurred but something unexpected happened there’s this
unexpected happened there’s this
unexpected happened there’s this testimony of violence turned into a love
testimony of violence turned into a love
testimony of violence turned into a love letter and I’m going to read you the end
letter and I’m going to read you the end
letter and I’m going to read you the end of it with with Oh
of it with with Oh
of it with with Oh reading to her partner after the attack
reading to her partner after the attack
reading to her partner after the attack I felt even more strongly how dared the
I felt even more strongly how dared the
I felt even more strongly how dared the years to me
years to me
years to me and how scary the thought that I could
and how scary the thought that I could
and how scary the thought that I could lose her the worst thing that I felt was
lose her the worst thing that I felt was
lose her the worst thing that I felt was an absolute inability to protect the one
an absolute inability to protect the one
an absolute inability to protect the one I loved or even myself yes now I look
I loved or even myself yes now I look
I loved or even myself yes now I look back on the street and look at every
back on the street and look at every
back on the street and look at every passing male as a possible source of
passing male as a possible source of
passing male as a possible source of danger but every time now when I’m in
danger but every time now when I’m in
danger but every time now when I’m in the street when I take you by the hand I
the street when I take you by the hand I
the street when I take you by the hand I do it consciously it is my choice D hold
do it consciously it is my choice D hold
do it consciously it is my choice D hold my hand this is my reward for your
my hand this is my reward for your
my hand this is my reward for your courage
in the course of this social media
in the course of this social media campaign hundreds of thousands of people
campaign hundreds of thousands of people
campaign hundreds of thousands of people have light and followed in places like
have light and followed in places like
have light and followed in places like this for survivors like this that barely
this for survivors like this that barely
this for survivors like this that barely conscious action is like a hand reaching
conscious action is like a hand reaching
conscious action is like a hand reaching out offering support in a sign that says
out offering support in a sign that says
out offering support in a sign that says that you’re not alone the sign that says
that you’re not alone the sign that says
that you’re not alone the sign that says I acknowledge your courage it says who
I acknowledge your courage it says who
I acknowledge your courage it says who you are is natural normal and moral you
you are is natural normal and moral you
you are is natural normal and moral you deserve to be seen and you need to be
deserve to be seen and you need to be
deserve to be seen and you need to be heard it is in these stories that have
heard it is in these stories that have
heard it is in these stories that have the silenced heard and the hidden scene
the silenced heard and the hidden scene
the silenced heard and the hidden scene that we can connect we can connect
that we can connect we can connect
that we can connect we can connect online we can connect through brave
online we can connect through brave
online we can connect through brave organizations fighting for equality and
organizations fighting for equality and
organizations fighting for equality and we can connect through here and it is in
we can connect through here and it is in
we can connect through here and it is in that connection that there is a chance
that connection that there is a chance
that connection that there is a chance there just maybe maybe there is a better
there just maybe maybe there is a better
there just maybe maybe there is a better future a future where no one needs to
future a future where no one needs to
future a future where no one needs to cover their face or change their name or
cover their face or change their name or
cover their face or change their name or hide who they are a future where
hide who they are a future where
hide who they are a future where everyone’s story matters in a future
everyone’s story matters in a future
everyone’s story matters in a future where love is never illegal I’m very
where love is never illegal I’m very
where love is never illegal I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity to
grateful to be given this opportunity to
grateful to be given this opportunity to talk to you tonight because you helped
talk to you tonight because you helped
talk to you tonight because you helped me to fulfill my promise to the people
me to fulfill my promise to the people
me to fulfill my promise to the people whose stories I said I would tell today
whose stories I said I would tell today
whose stories I said I would tell today I act as their immediate intermediary
I act as their immediate intermediary
I act as their immediate intermediary they allowed me to photograph them and
they allowed me to photograph them and
they allowed me to photograph them and record their words in the hope that they
record their words in the hope that they
record their words in the hope that they will be heard I’d like to thank you for
will be heard I’d like to thank you for
will be heard I’d like to thank you for listening thank you
listening thank you
listening thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment