Queer artworks, comics and virtual galleries fuel awareness campaign

Digital artworks, comics, queer media spotlights and informational discussions by young LGBTQ+ student-artists were featured in the online event Gay Writes: A Pride Week Special, in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month last June.

The aim was to serve as a campaign to spread awareness and invite the general public to know more about the LGBTQ+ community and the diverse gender identities and expressions.

The initiative was hosted by Media Max, the professional student organization of the Multimedia Arts Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The occasion featured a Pride history crash course with partner organization School of Design and Arts School Student Government. This program consisted of art cards that trace the history of Pride, including the challenges that the community faced then and continues to battle now.

Gay Writes likewise put up a Pride Online Freedom Wall, which served as a safe space and a respectful and inclusive environment where students can express themselves and share their insights and experiences.

A Boys' Love comics, Sing Your Heart Out!, was launched by DrawInk, the official comic book illustration and enthusiast organization of CSB. It follows the heartwarming and charming love story of golden boy Luke Cypher and his partner, Montero "Momo" Montgomery.

The digital Pride Art Gallery featured a collection of original artworks that represented, narrated and tackled the diverse stories of the LGBTQ+ community. The illustrations were contributed by the student artists, both members and allies of the community, who wish to utilize their talent and skills in celebrating the beauty of individuality and empowering the community.

SDA-SSG published previews of the most renowned queer medias around the world, which present the diverse stories of the LGBTQ+ sector. The series kicked off with Heaven Official's Blessing (2020), a BL donghua (Chinese animation) based on the novel of the same name by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Also included in the lineup were Billie & Emma (2018), a Filipino lesbian film by Samantha Lee, and Pose (2018 to 2021), a series by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, among others.
These were all made available on view on the official Facebook pages of the host organizations.