"أعلنت هوت عن إطلاق “كوير كليفلاند

Haus of Transcendent is thrilled to announce the launch of كوير كليفلاند, a book that will spotlight LGBTQI2S+ artists who are shaping Greater Cleveland’s cultural landscape. Conceived by photographer Bridget Caswell and author Jessica Peacock, Queer Cleveland is an exciting extension of Haus of Transcendent’s ArtReach program, which partners with artists to connect LGBTQI2S+ individuals to healthcare and social services.

Queer Cleveland builds on the success of HOT’s ArtReach Fellowship, a program that invests in Queer artists who are making a positive difference in Cleveland. For example, Onya Nurve, the inaugural ArtReach Fellow, was selected to compete on Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. By harnessing the transformative power of art, ArtReach not only celebrates the creative contributions of Cleveland’s Queer community but also partners with influences to make Cleveland a better city for all.

كوير كليفلاند aims to highlight the incredible talent of painters, poets, photographers, drag performers, musicians, and more who form the backbone of Cleveland’s thriving arts community. By amplifying Queer voices and celebrating their creativity, Queer Cleveland will foster greater awareness and participation while emphasizing how art can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy, connection, and access to services. Artists will also be interviewed to learn more about their art and the spaces they feel support their work. Additionally, this publication will serve as a tool to connect the LGBTQI2S+ community to programs and resources that address disparities identified in the Cleveland LGBTQ+ Needs Assessment, such as gaps in mental health care, housing insecurity, and access to inclusive healthcare.

HOT’s innovative outreach approach is central to this work. By connecting with community members at local bars, clubs, and other spaces, HOT meets people where they are and provides resources during nights and weekends—when they’re often most needed.

The past several years has seen a frightening explosion of legislation aimed at criminalizing Queer culture and fomenting hate aimed at the LGBTQI2S+ community. The Ohio legislature alone has introduced a spate of bills intended to punish Queer children and adults. And while anti-Queer fervor is nothing new, the intensity and ubiquity of this particular brand of hate is concerning to say the least. As LGBTQI2S+ people, allies, and advocates, it is our responsibility to push back on this current wave of erasure and to boldly celebrate our community, rejoicing in Queer love, honoring the Queer struggle, and doing everything we can to make sure that those within our community are uplifted and safe.

The first issue of كوير كليفلاند is set to launch in 2025. Your support is essential to bringing this vision to life. Tax-deductible donations for Queer Cleveland can be made here. For media, sponsorship, and advertising inquiries, contact BMorgan@HOTCle.org.

Together, let’s celebrate Cleveland’s Queer artists—past, present, and future!