While art museums of the past showcased goodness, truth, and beauty, current art is becoming twisted by political agendas and LGBTQIA+ ideas.
Louisiana State University’s art museum is no exception, as their latest exhibit spreads a message that goes beneath creating beautiful artwork. Instead, the latest exhibit advocates for drag.
Jerry Siegel, a photographer and the creator of the exhibit explained his motives behind his photographs in a recent presentation. Siegil stressed that as a biological man, he “‘wanted to make work that would be interesting visually to the viewer, but would also make you think and help create dialogue about gender identity and expression” Siegil also explained his deep interest in drag, saying that “‘My interest in drag artists and the transformation they make as performance artists goes back to the late 90s… I have always been interested in how we all use costumes of a sort and how drag artists take that a step further outside their daily routine.’”
In his presentation about the photographs, Seigil used his exhibit to springboard a discussion about transgender rights in Louisiana and the rest of the United States. Twenty states have recently banned gender-affirming care, and Louisiana specifically will pass a bill banning gender affirming care, particularly for minors. Seigil expressed frustration, saying that he was “‘concerned, disappointed [and] mad’” about the current state of events in the nation.
Apart from gender affirming care, states such as Tennesesse banned drag shows in public areas, while Florida recently banned transgender individuals from using bathrooms that do not correspond with their gender at birth.
While the focus of the exhibit is to showcase the “beauty” of drag, the message emcompasses something far more expansive: it is a push for general acceptance of the LGBTIA+ community and an outcry against the laws states have made to protect children and society as a whole.
Seigil’s words perfectly sum up the underlying tones of the exhibit: “ It is not at all about what is right, what the majority is interested in or wants. I am very concerned about freedom of expression. Many in power are arguing for freedom of thought and expression, but only as it pertains to them and their beliefs.”
While the LGBTQIA+ supposably fights for freedom of speech and expression, conservative voices are constantly under fire for protecting basic human rights. Conservatives should not see the backlash as a hindrance: instead, they should view it as a sign to take even greater action to stand up for truth and the validity of human rights.
