Looking Back to Look Forward
January 12, 2024 | Reflection.016
Hello! Happy New Year!
Since it has been a while since a blog from Pride by Design has been shared, I thought it might be time to first look back to be able to look forward. So.. to take a few steps back…
2023 was quite the year! Between launching Pride by Design’s website, the national panel hosted by the AIA Dallas LGBTQIA+ Alliance that opened this network and conversation much more broadly than ever before (and really accelerated this all), and so many opportunities to connect in person - the year was already charting a new path for LGBTQIA+ folxs in architecture and design coming together (at least it was from the seat I was sitting in).
Though interviews from Pride by Design slowed to a stop in the fall, I was beyond excited (and thankful) to welcome the Inclusive Design Lab from Kennesaw State University, led by Jon Gould, into this space. They not only brought an energy, but showed and shared that design studios can challenge traditional ways of learning, tangibly redefine spatial thinking by putting people first, and weave together both identity and design in ways this architect could have only dreamed of. To also see queer educators, researchers, and designers engaged throughout the semester in supporting the students and celebrating the work was not just a joy, but something we need more of - everywhere.
Beyond Pride by Design, last fall also brought the publication of the first ever printed collection of stories of and by LGBTQIA+ architects and designers - Out in Architecture. Just a year in the making from the initial conversation to the day the book came into the world, this was a whirlwind, a challenge, and the most incredible (and humbling) thing to have (and to continue to be) a part of. What began and manifested as a physical book has truly been so much more..
a learning and self-reflection of how to slow down and listen deeply
a redefining of process to genuinely ensure people - all 24 voices - were centered
a moment to look up, to see a community bigger than any single one of us, and continue to hold and create these connections that extend beyond the places in the world each one of us may be and the pages of a book
To use the recent words of co-editor and collaborator, A.L Hu,
“This is a tangible force that would bring people together.”
Three months in, and that energy could not be more true.
Which pretty much brings us to today!
The new year started out quickly, both with the collaboration with the Big Gay Architect (yes, the survey is still open!) and the upcoming Please be Seated exhibition through the Museum of Design Atlanta. Pride by Design also had the opportunity to join AIAS at their FORUM conference in New Orleans last week (a few pictures of that below). Needless to say, the first 12 days of the year have been busy ones.
But what does the rest of the year hold?
Storytelling has and will always be at the core of Pride by Design and this space. So.. Blogs are resuming! There are a few conversations from last year that never made it out beyond my screen. Blogs will begin there (yes - Anastasia, Parva, Scott, Zach, Will, Matt - these are coming!). There are also a number of new folxs, connections, and conversations I am beyond excited to share. And just as a note, if you are interested in sharing your story, please reach out!
Beyond the blog, there is hope (and a few things in the works - collaborations with local architecture organizations and museums, planning of conversations and in-person connections, pride parade marching, a summer half day symposium, and more..) on how to continue connecting and amplifying this community of queer architects and designers. There is such amazing, local, grassroots work and organizing being done through organizations and people at BuildOut Alliance, the AIA LGBTQIA+ Alliances, student organizations such as QSAPP, our design adjacent partners at Pride x ASLA and APA LGBTQ & Planning Division, in addition to the work that each of you is doing.
But how do we all hear more about this?
And then how do we join in on the conversation?
What about those who are not located in an area one of these groups is?
Is there any opportunity in the future to come together nationally?
These are just a few of the many questions running through my head - and some I hope Pride by Design can begin to test out possible answers to this year. (Speaking of.. If you have made it this far, drop a quick “yes” or “no” to the below..)
Though only 12 days in, this year already seems to be another year filled with listening, learning, growing, challenging, disrupting, opportunity, and change. There is a momentum and energy that gets me up each day - one fueled by the opportunity to find and support connections with LGBTQIA+ folxs in architecture and design who are. all. over. I am looking forward to continuing to share our stories through this space, to connect and hear from each of you on what you want and need not just Pride by Design but the architecture profession to be (please reach out!), and discovering how we can continue to create this together.
With pride,
Sarah