‘CNY Pride Families’ exhibition on display at Schine Student Center

‘CNY Pride Families’ exhibition on display at Schine Student CenterMarch 26, 2008Amit Tanejalgbt@syr.edu

“CNY Pride Families,” a new exhibition on display in the Panasci Lounge of Syracuse University’s Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center, features portraits of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families in the Central New York region. The exhibition aims to provide true-to-life representation of LGBT families that are often missing from the mainstream media. The public is welcome to come and learn about these families and their experiences through the visual photographs and the print stories that accompany them.

“CNY Pride Families” runs through April 4 and is free and open to the public.

“These photographs capture a historical moment in which these LGBT families find themselves pioneering their way through a society that does not legally recognize their relationships,” says Adrea Jaehnig, director of the LGBT Resource Center at SU. Jaehnig believes the families are breaking down prejudice and stereotypes by opening up many people’s hearts and minds. “We hope that this exhibit will move us closer to the day when LGBT people will have access to the same rights and protections as heterosexual people do to take care of their families.”

“CNY Pride Families” is a collaboration of SU’s LGBT Resource Center, Lightwork/Community Darkrooms and local artist Ellen M. Blalock. The exhibition is modeled after a similar national exhibition titled “Love Makes a Family,” which was on display at SU in October 2006. Blalock says she hopes to help combat homophobia in schools, religious and work environments through this exhibition.

“This project was a great experience for our family to participate in,” says Kim Dill, a local community member whose family is featured in the exhibition. “It not only gives visibility to the diversity within the LGBT community, but it also allowed our daughter Olive to see many other families just like hers.”

A print catalogue featuring some of the families along with a listing of LGBT resources and organizations in the CNY area is available at various locations throughout the greater Syracuse area. More information on the exhibit, along with pictures of all of the families, is available at http://lightwork.org/exhibitions/past/cnypridefamilies/.

Public parking is available at the SU event rate of $3.50 in the University Avenue Garage. Directions and maps to parking lots are available on the SU Parking and Transit Services website (http://bfasweb.syr.edu/parking/). Requests for handicapped-accessible parking should be made in advance by calling (315) 443-3983.

For more information, contact Amit Taneja, associate director of the SU LGBT Resource Center, at lgbt@syr.edu or (315) 443-3983.

The exhibition is co-sponsored by SU’s LGBT Resource Center; Light Work/Community Darkrooms; U.Encounter; the Chancellor’s Feinstone Grants for Multicultural Initiatives; and the Division of Student Affairs.