Enriching Queer Community & Creativity
The 2024 Queer Visibility Summit: A Celebration of Queer History, Creativity and Innovation
Office of Engagement and Belonging
written by
Britney Yauger-Limtham
On Oct. 31, the Jared L. Cohon University Center at Carnegie Mellon University was filled with excitement for the 2024 Queer Visibility Summit, an event that brought together students, staff and faculty from across the CMU campus community to celebrate queer history, creativity and innovation. This full-day event was hosted by the Office of Engagement and Belonging for the College of Fine Arts in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Climate and Equity in Heinz College (Heinz DICE), supported by the School of Computer Science, CMU Libraries, University Health Services and Peer Health Advocates.
The idea for this campus-wide collaboration began with Britney Yauger-Limtham (assistant director, CFA Engagement and Belonging) and Cassandra Rios (assistant director, Heinz DICE), who wanted to connect their college communities by merging two individual events that had been successful within their colleges during the previous academic year: the Queer Visibility Summit in Heinz, and the Queer Art Market in CFA.
“The Queer Visibility Summit, a project of our 2023–2024 DICE Fellow, created a vital space for the queer community that we’re committed to expanding,” Rios said.
"By partnering with CFA and incorporating the Queer Art Market, we enriched the summit and fostered an inspiring blend of community and creativity."
Cassandra Rios
Assistant Director, DICE, Heinz College
The 2024 Queer Visibility Summit opened with a discussion moderated by Jordan Taylor, a Ph.D. student in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. Titled “Queer(ing) Generative AI,” this conversation examined the impacts of generative AI on LGBTQIA+ communities while asking how queer people are leveraging and resisting these technologies. The day continued with a time of reflection led by the Heinz DICE team, and a concurrent zine-making workshop led by Jill Chisnell and Ashley Werlinich from CMU Libraries. Attendees were then invited to meet and connect with other campus community members at the Queer Networking Lunch before continuing on to the afternoon sessions.
Jorday Taylor, Harrison Apple and Bo Powers at the 2024 Queer Visibility Summit.
After lunch, Harrison Apple, associate director of CMU’s Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry and co-founder of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project, hosted a session titled “Queer History is an Enduring Activity,” helping participants learn more about public programs to engage with local queer histories. Bo Powers, an AI architect with Computing Services, explored the concept of harm reduction with AI, introducing strategies to mitigate negative impacts while promoting fairness and inclusivity.
The 2024 Queer Visibility Summit also offered wellness spaces that were available for attendees to utilize throughout the day, including a Sensory-Friendly Space filled with sensory toys and crafting materials, and a Safer Sex and STI Testing Party, where University Health Services and Peer Health Advocates provided free walk-in HIV and syphilis testing for students.
The day concluded with the eagerly anticipated Queer Art Market, which gave student artists and designers a chance to sell their original creations to the broader campus community. Tables were filled with a colorful array of student work — from prints, stickers and zines to handmade jewelry, ceramics and “horrible beasts.” The smell of desserts from Leona’s Ice Cream and Wild Rise Bakery filled the room, and the market was alive with the excited energy of student vendors and their customers, many of whom attended in their Halloween costumes.
Chantal Feitosa-Desouza, a third-year MFA student in the School of Art, helped to plan both the 2023 and 2024 Queer Art Market through her role as a graduate assistant in the CFA Engagement and Belonging office.
"I’m really excited with how the Queer Art Market has evolved in only two years. The energy and care that all of the student participants bring to the event is at the heart of what makes it such a unique space for community on campus."
Chantal Feitosa-Desouza
Ashley Ross, a first-year MFA student in the School of Art and the newest graduate assistant in the CFA Engagement and Belonging office, agreed. “I am excited to have contributed to such an important event like the Queer Visibility Summit. I believe events like QVS are essential in creating opportunities for connection and inclusion on a campus like CMU."
As the crowd dispersed and the day came to an end, the impact of the 2024 Queer Visibility Summit was clear. Students and staff alike expressed their gratitude for an event that made them feel seen and celebrated. The two teams that worked hard to plan the event congratulated each other on a successful day and expressed hopes for upcoming collaborations.
“We look forward to building on this impactful work in the future,” Rios said.
featuring the following:
images from Noah Welter
images from Miguel Bicas
