CITRUS QUEENS

In Citrus Queens, I conduct extensive research about the history of LGBTQ+ Floridians, and gather reference photos from archives such as The Florida Memory Project, The Stonewall Museum, The LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida, and personal photographs and memories. I use these references as a basis for bright, kitschy paintings that pay homage to my community and serve as altars to stop and reflect on our shared history. Interwoven into the works is the flora and fauna of our home state: mangroves, panthers, black bears, and palm fronds. My work is distinctly Floridian, as is my queerness. It has no connection to the winter, to the mountains, or to the cold. It belongs to the heat, to the humidity, to the palm fronds and the panthers. Despite growing concerns over legislation that threatens us, we still deserve to be here and call this our home.