All of Us
QSpeak youth embark on Valley GLBT community history project
By Luis Garcia
PHOENIX —1n10’s QSpeak Theatre and its straight allies are doing something extraordinary this year.
In addition to bringing awareness to the issues teens face each day though stage productions, QSpeak youth are embarking on a project that will document the history of GLBT individuals who have shaped the Valley’s GLBT community.
"We have named the project All of Us: Revealing GLBT History in the Valley of the Sun to express our interest in collecting the untold stories and experiences representing all members of the GLBT community in the Phoenix Valley," said A. Beck, 1n10 and QSpeak theatre director. "We are working with internationally recognized playwright, Laurie Brooks, to create an intergenerational theatre production that celebrates the past and present contributions of our community."
Beck and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network founded QSpeak three years ago. It has remained the Valley’s only theater program for GLBTQ youth and their straight allies ages 14-22.
In the theater group, youth learn new skills and build upon existing skills in acting, playwriting, directing, designing, improv, movement, making soundtracks and more.
Past QSpeak performances have tackled issues such as bullying in school, HIV/AIDS and coming out, and performances offer a first-hand perspective on today's queer teenager.
In addition, 1n10 has joined with the Tempe Historical Museum, who will provide the Valley its only permanent GLBT public history collection. The East Valley museum will become only the seventh mainstream museum in the country, and the only museum in the state, in housing a gay history collection.
James Burns, curator of history at the Tempe Historical Museum, told Echo that even though the project is in its initial stages, he hopes that one day it will help future GLBT generations learn the history of the Valley’s GLBT community.
QSpeak youth Steven Burgess was one of 30 individuals who has been trained to collect information from the GLBT community. He told Echo he was excited to participate, and thanked QSpeak for the opportunity to volunteer.
"I feel that QSpeak has to be one of the most unique experiences of my life,” Burgess said. “It is one of the very few places that gay, lesbian, bi, transgender and straight allied youth have an outlet for their voice. And the next installment to reach across generations is going to be ground breaking."
According to Beck, the group is looking for adults and youth to perform in the production, as well as take an active role in documenting the community's history.
“1n10 youth are at the forefront of creating change for a better future and documenting the past that makes up their own history,” Beck said. “I truly hope the community comes together to join their efforts to celebrate All of Us."
1n10 is currently looking for oral histories, photos and artifacts from the Valley’s GLBT community to include in the project.
For more information or to donate artifacts, please contact Beck at 602-475-7456 or email coordinator@1n10.org
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