He Was Queer ~ Doxon Kenny

I stand here looking at the looming picture of the artist in the gallery.

In our intro for him, and his bio on the wall, we mention he’s a native Oklahoman. That he wanted to be a teacher. That he had 8 siblings.

Not once do we mention he was Queer. He put himself through college during the great depression.

He was queer, we should have mentioned he was queer. I stand here looking at him, waiting for the next person to round the corner to watch them in the gallery.

Take a deep breath, stand still, hands behind your back.

I want them to know he was queer. Our queer elders don’t get enough light shone on them. It’s important. We need to know they were here. Too many times they disappeared. That’s why it’s important that this man here on the wall with his art covering a whole art gallery was gay.

Because we are important.

We are important.

We are important.

We are important.

The words never have a chance to land on any ears because I am in an art gallery. And I am working.

My boss stands a room away, and I am working. So I stay silent although I want to tell everyone in the gallery:

He was Queer.