My name is Emily Ortiz (she/they). I am a rising senior at Lafayette College studying Anthropology and Sociology. My academic interests are Gender and Sexuality studies, Queer studies, and Caribbean studies. 

At the beginning of the DHSS program, I originally wanted to research the activist contributions of Queer Caribbeans in the NYC area during LGBTQIA+ movements. However, I shifted my research focus to analyzing the connections between art and activism by Queer Caribbean artists across the diaspora. 

In my research, I begin by mentioning the influence of art as a form of activism for Queer individuals during the 1980s Aids epidemic. During this devastating time, Queer people, especially Black And Brown Queer people, were the most affected by the disease. Through years of protesting and political organizing, Queer folks gathered in the community to make their voices heard. The contribution of art as a form of activism honors the community organizing that curated social change by LGBTQIA+ members and Queer people of color. 

Furthermore, I focus my research on the artwork of Queer Caribbean Photographers: Mia Vasquez and Nadia Huggins. Each of their work highlights the connections between identity, activism, and art. My main goal for this project is to honor and credit the artwork of Queer Caribbeans, who use their creativity to highlight and represent their communities. Art has the power to cultivate social change but, most importantly, make people feel seen. This project and these artists’ artwork can make other Queer Caribbeans feel seen and valued, and I hope it does that and more. 

Finally, since I am a white Queer Caribbean person writing about the artwork of Black and Brown Queer Caribbeans, I am conscious of honoring their words throughout my project. In each section, I assured that I began and ended with their words. Additionally, I also made sure to provide the copyrights of the artists. This approach attempts to dismantle the traditional paradigm of a white, privileged researcher who writes about others and may inappropriately represent their work through a skewed lens of privilege. That said, the website will be officially published once each artist views it, provide possible feedback, and permit me to present my project based on their artwork. Thank you.