andrewmaxedon: Lauren Quock, “White/Colored, Men/Women,” 2011 *Trigger warning: Transpho
andrewmaxedon: Lauren Quock, “White/Colored, Men/Women,” 2011 *Trigger warning: Transphobia* For Lauren Quock, gender is not an easy issue. Instead of “him” or “her,” Lauren prefers to be referred to as “them.“ They dress like a man, but use women’s bathrooms, which often makes those around them uncomfortable, and can even make using a public restroom a fearful event, not knowing whether they are going to be questioned or harassed for their gender identity. Responding to this, Lauren has created a series of alternate bathroom signs. Instead of the male/female signs we’re all used to, they have created a series that are specifically designed to include other gender identities and condemn the practice of publicly forcing people into one of two neat labels. Not everyone fits into the male/female dichotomy, so why should bathroom signs and rules make life more difficult for people who don’t? This is the most poignant, referring directly to the discriminatory policies of segregated America. They have painted over an old "Whites/Colored” drinking fountain sign from Montgomery, AL and replaced it with a “Men/Women” sign for bathrooms. The analogy isn’t perfect for a few reasons, but the overall piece is extremely effective. It reminds us of an ugly part of our shared history and points out, in no uncertain terms, that trans rights are an issue of discrimination and prejudice, and condemns those who would limit which bathroom a person can enter. Visit their website here. -- source link