"My Story": That is the title of the art exhibit being featured at the Image Factory. The exhibit centers on the challenges and burdens homosexuals face in a homophobic society. It is a topic that has sparked debate across different sectors of society but according to artist Briheda Haylock, her aim is not to fuel that debate or evoke sympathy or pity, but to reveal the stories that have been buried by fear and discrimination.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Many Belizeans are walking in his shoes. Feeling hopeless and alone.
And artist Briheda Haylock wants to tell her story and the story of those who face this reality every day.
Briheda Haylock, Artist
"The process of this show was going to meet the LGBT community and they are everywhere, so what me and Caleb did, because he is the one who found me to do this show - we went and we met up with them, it's not only Belize City. I went to Orange Walk and I met other people of the community and these are the people who are brave enough to say participate because it's a very touchy subject and the fear of being victimized in under shoulders and so the ones that were brave, we sat down and we talk about their journey because we all have a journey when it comes to self-discovery, so when you come in, you see the my story and the my story reflects those interviews of them giving you their coming out story or what they were going through, because you know what, because someone is gay doesn't makes it easy for them."
And it surely wasn't easy for Nicki, Daniel or any of the participants in this exhibit.
Although their family accepts them…society? Not quite..
Briheda Haylock, Artist
"The reason I put the paper bag is because that's what's society does to a LGBT person - you cover our faces, your shun us. So, it's not like we have an identity. The only identity you see is lesbian or homosexual and you know, it's not that, we are human beings. I started the show that way, to show people how we feel when you are just seeing our sexuality, because as you go along the show, the papers bags come off and you do see that warm, that comfort, that support that you get from other people who aren't so narrow minded. They say oh we want to put our sexuality out there, but we just want to have the same privilege, like going out to dinner - I could hold my partner's hand and not feel weird or like I'm going to be pointed at or laughed at or even stoned at or something like that, because some people have different experiences and its unfair that you have to stay behind closed doors or not feel proud of who you are with."
Being proud of who you are and who you are with is the theme of this segment of the exhibit. These frames should portray normal familial and societal interactions but in reality, it is seen as taboo.
Shelby Castillo, Collaborating Artist
"My topic I use is "outcast" - like an outcast to society. People treat you like a monster and I use elements from what I see before and collaborate it in my film, the animation. This thing happens in Belize. It's not strange to anyone. It's not rear occurrence - it happens everywhere and people needs to know that this happens in our own country. So, this exhibit is to show people that this is happening and we need to do something about it."
The Art exhibit opens tomorrow at 7 at the Image Factory.
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