My name is Andrew Reel, and I am an 18 year old queer artist and transgender activist from Oregon. My main goal as an artist is to convey my personal experiences as a trans person through my work, and use the work as a form of activism. I believe heavily that bringing a voice to the LGBTQ+ community is very important, and it is what I strive to do with each piece of my AP concentration in particular.
To elaborate on my presence in the LGBTQ+ community, I didn't always know that I was a boy. Shockingly, kids tend to be ignorant about things that are shielded from them their whole lives. I knew that I felt different about myself than most young girls. However, I never grasped the concept that I was a boy and could transition medically until I was older due to the horrible misrepresentation and stigma that trans people face in the media. I came to a realization when I was 14. I finally learned what being trans was through my own research, having trans friends, and seeing positive representation in the media from activists, namely Laverne Cox.
It took so long for me to understand my identity because of how poorly the transgender community is represented, and I strive to change that through my artwork and activism.
For me, and many others, it is very important to remain visible and open for those who can't be. I pour my heart and soul into activism and art because it's important for kids who were like me to discover who they are and to feel that there is a place for them. Although transgender activism isn't the only thing my artwork focuses on, as my work tends to come from a darker perspective, it serves as a special source of inspiration.