Using Performance Art to Show How LGBTQ+ Organizations Address Issues

Schimmel/Conrades Science Center Atrium

Our group set out to study the LGBTQ+ movement, a movement focused mostly on formal LGBTQ+ equality, and the ways that three organizations we have identified participate in it: Stonewall Columbus, TransOhio, and the Kaleidoscope Youth Center. We will show how these groups address issues of intersectionality, inclusivity, and broader relation to their communities. Using concepts from social movement theory, we have developed profiles of these organizations using information from their websites, interviews and interactions we have had with them, and emails that have been exchanged. From the information we have gathered, we have developed an idea of how these organizations frame the issues they address, how they mobilize participants, and recruit new members. We are currently in contact with them and continuing to build our understanding of their organizational processes, tactics, and how they address the issues through their missions. Some of our findings about the organizations’ strategies of engagement, so far, include a focus on youth outreach, framing issues based on community, and mobilizing people through education, services, and events. Some of those services provided are listings of local LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and employers, prison support groups, and resources for legal necessities. Our ultimate goal is to present our findings through an outline for a performance art piece which represent issues facing the LGBTQ+ community using information we have gathered from the organizations.