Art, Affirmation, and Identity:

Supporting LGBTQIA Youth and Family Through Creative Exploration of Personal

Development

PI: Patricia H. Hawley, full professor, EPL

Co PI: Jessica Ortiz-Martinez
Research assistant: Kate Smitherman, undergraduate communications major

Community Collaborators:

Pastor Kevin Young, St. John’s Methodist

Autry Freeman and Julie Brennan, Community Artists
Heidi & Larry Simmons gallery support
Charles Adams, Charles Adams Gallery

University Collaborators:
Greg Johnston & Charles Crews, Counseling
Brook Roberts, School Psychology
Roger Yandell, TTUHSC, Ob/Gyn
Jody Randall, Director, LGBTQIA Office, TTU
JeongHee Kim, qualitative data collection, analysis
Andres Peralta, art department, art education and identity

Abstract

Nationally, LGBTQIA youth are experiencing higher levels of isolation, anxiety, depression,
suicidal ideations, and peer victimization. Locally, LGBTQIA youth in the region are at risk for
experiencing the same negative factors as their national counterparts but do not have the ease of
access to the same multitude of resources. The Art, Affirmation, and Identity project will utilize
the strategic collaborative efforts of university and community stakeholders to enact change for
LGBTQIA youth and their families. Our group of collaborators and key stakeholders intend to
create opportunity for change to occur through the employment of guided art instruction,
individual expression, and the personal lived experiences of LGBTQIA youth and their families.
Safe spaces created by those involved will encourage LGBTQIA youth and their support
structures to examine the elements of their environments and how those interactions impact the
well-being of LGBTQIA youth. Participants will evaluate and process through perceptions,
attitudes, and grief while instructors provide youth and families tools to effectively navigate their
environments with confidence in their ever developing identity. Families and youth will also be
afforded with opportunities to connect with others through shared experiences while enhancing
empathy and understanding. The collaborative efforts of the group will be streamlined through
frequent meetings and check-ins to ensure our progress in sessions continues to mirror our
project mission. Future opportunities for graduate students exist on a multidisciplinary level and
carry valuable opportunities to extend project efforts and impact.