{"id":9889,"title":"LGBT History Month","description":"Paul Harfleet reflects on LGBT History Month 2021.","content":"

\"\"February is LGBT History Month. Months like these make me reflect on my own history and the work I\u2019ve made. The Pansy Project began 16 years ago. Since then I\u2019ve travelled the world planting pansies, attempting to memorialise our experiences of homophobia and transphobia. Having spent most of the last year in #Lockdown my work has shifted, much of what was planned for 2020 was scuppered and many of you now know me through my new body of work Birds Can Fly.<\/p>

This work emerged from my own biography and I believe it continues to explore notions of queerness and identity and has become an artwork and accidental brand that celebrates our love of nature and the solace it brings. Where #BirdsCanFly and #ThePansyProject most acutely intersected was inspired by an incident in Central Park last year; In New York, on the 25th of May 2020 in the midst of the Covid crisis, Christian Cooper went to Central Park to go birding, what transpired was a racially motivated event. Amy Cooper called 911, suggesting she was being attacked by an African American man, after an altercation about a dog and a leash. She weaponised her racism and a backlash in-sued. This happened on the same day George Floyd was murdered by police officers in Minneapolis, resulting in a much-needed escalation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. I drew and \u2018gently referenced\u2019 the Kirtland\u2019s Warbler in homage to Christian Cooper and his gracious response to the incident in Central Park. \"\"Though my new work does not always directly confront homophobia, its roots are very much linked with queer politics and the notion of intersectionality and the need we all have to raise awareness of injustice where ever it may exist. My usual work with The Pansy Project may be on hiatus though homophobia and transphobia has not stopped, it has perhaps become hidden from view, submerged into homes and domestic environments. <\/p>

I\u2019m sure as we emerge from the pandemic the true impact will become apparent. Many of us are separated from our usual support networks, venues for connection are closed. The places we once frequented and where we saw ourselves, are in danger of closing for good, this crisis will have long lasting impacts on our community. Social media may act as a network of some support but it is no substitute for real life. LGBTQ+ History Month encourages us to reflect on how our community has managed the challenges we have faced through the many historical figures that have been so often neglected and overlooked by mainstream culture. <\/p>

This month I will be featured in some online workshops, talks and podcasts that will share The Pansy Project and the work I\u2019ve made over the years. I will be sharing details of these digital events soon. In the meantime, please explore the #LGBTHM21 hashtag to learn more about this important month to remember and reflect. Find out more about The Pansy Project here.<\/a><\/p>","urlTitle":"lgbt-history-month","url":"\/blog\/lgbt-history-month\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/lgbt-history-month\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/birdscanflystore.com\/blog\/lgbt-history-month\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1612707250,"updatedAt":1612717778,"publishedAt":1612717778,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":107566,"name":"Birds Can Fly"},"tags":[{"id":1112,"code":"the-pansy-project","name":"ThePansyProject","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/the-pansy-project\/"},{"id":1113,"code":"birds-can-fly","name":"BirdsCanFly","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/birds-can-fly\/"},{"id":1114,"code":"art","name":"Art","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/art\/"},{"id":1115,"code":"birds","name":"Birds","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/birds\/"},{"id":1116,"code":"ornithology","name":"Ornithology","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/ornithology\/"},{"id":1117,"code":"l-g-b-t-q","name":"LGBTQ","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/l-g-b-t-q\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ekp1npewm3bbdgz5vh688egmi8wa75ayhuzytu5v3mmwofwu.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ekp1npewm3bbdgz5vh688egmi8wa75ayhuzytu5v3mmwofwu.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ekp1npewm3bbdgz5vh688egmi8wa75ayhuzytu5v3mmwofwu.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"LGBT History Month","metaDescription":"Paul Harfleet reflects on LGBT History Month 2021.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":9902,"title":"Stories Behind the Designs","url":"\/blog\/the-story-of-birds-can-fly\/","urlTitle":"the-story-of-birds-can-fly","division":107566,"description":"The journey from drawing to garment.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/logdy9wz68ihyajfcrhjcrncc3nxc9tms1c6yx9jculeotz6.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/logdy9wz68ihyajfcrhjcrncc3nxc9tms1c6yx9jculeotz6.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":10431,"title":"Birds Can Fly: Hearing from the Winners","url":"\/blog\/reflecting-on-the-birds-can-fly-competition\/","urlTitle":"reflecting-on-the-birds-can-fly-competition","division":107566,"description":"Hearing from the winners of my Second Birds Can Fly Competition and reflecting on the impact of this new body of work.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/4ssny9ukfh73kvpgeqxj8aclazu3iziv69lte62andyxlhqx.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/4ssny9ukfh73kvpgeqxj8aclazu3iziv69lte62andyxlhqx.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":12613,"title":"Manchester Made Me","url":"\/blog\/manchester-made-me\/","urlTitle":"manchester-made-me","division":107566,"description":"When I moved to Manchester thirty years ago it was a different place. I lived there for twenty years and during that time I was a witness to the evolution of a city. I left ten years ago and I know since then the evolution has continued at pace","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/9vt0cxzjpw9b4qgrwafgcot3nrrsu2a7i5fluumgjacugi0i.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/9vt0cxzjpw9b4qgrwafgcot3nrrsu2a7i5fluumgjacugi0i.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}