“Josephine Baker’s own personal struggles and triumphs made her one of my muses. It’s important to know that your ancestors – black, gay, lesbian, trans, woman – all are a great part of the fabric of what made this world great. Regardless of who says you don’t belong, you definitely belong.”

“Jane Addams founded Travelers and Immigrants Aid, which went on to become Heartland Alliance, in 1888. I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that she’d be proud to know that the Heartland Alliance of 2017 has a global reach and that our staff are working in conflict areas around the world to advance qualities that Jane Addams herself worked for – peace, equality, and justice.”

“His life and artwork never flinched from his homosexuality and his AIDS diagnosis. This gave others strength in their coming out process as LGBTQ and those that were HIV+. I personally look to LGBT artists like Haring because I consider myself to be a lesbian artist.”