Visualising Issues: LGBT Rights

VISUALISING ISSUES Name Class Date LGBT rights have recorded significant progress since the late 20th century. Though the United States is considered is considered to be among the most liberal countries globally, liberal rights regarding LGTB rights in some of its jurisdictions lag behind those of some Western countries. Moreover, the country has no federal law that outlaws national discrimination. Only the contrary, only federal executive orders, whose scope is more limited, exist. Resultantly, residents of some states are left exposed to discrimination in housing, employment, as well as public and private services. This notwithstanding, a lot of progress has been made in recognizing and respecting the LGBT rights in the country. The story of the struggle that led the country to the point that it is today cannot be complete without the mention of the contribution that art has made. Queer art can be seen both in ancient and contemporary art. However, it is the modern artists who pushed the boundaries on the representation of LGBT issues in art. Over the 20th century, references to queer experiences and identity were mostly concealed in art since the issue was not socially acceptable. However, the desire for visibility transcended the fear of censorship created by the society. In the early years of this period, visual codes were used to symbolize queerness. However, following the 1969 Stonewall Riots, the artists embraced more visibility (AHTR n.d.). Andy Warhol was among the many artists who tackled the issue of homosexuality in their work way before the society became accommodative of the topic. He was an American filmmaker, graphic designer, and pop artist. He is greatly remembered for blurring the lines between advertising and art. Being a homosexual himself, he frequently created male nudes and erotic photos (REVEL & RIOT n.d.). His work was also greatly influenced by the gay underground culture. To explore how artists incorporated LGBT themes in their work, this paper will explore two works by Andy Warhol; Ladies and Gentlemen and Most Wanted Men. The Ladies and Gentlemen Series, created by the artist in 1975 featured photographs taken by Warhol. The photographs are ambiguous, provocative, and direct. In a way, the series marked Warhol’s departure from the portraiture pegged on appropriated images. The 1970s, when the work was created, was a critical moment for the LGBT community in the United States. The country was ushering in a more liberal mindset in regard to LGBT rights from the Studio 54 incident. The drag and homosexual community started embracing their sexuality in ways not seen before. This atmosphere is thought to have inspired Warhol to create a seri...