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Transmasculine artist Xavier Schipani worked with Todd to create this year's Pride sweatshirt, which features an original work of his art. In addition, Schipani and eight other members of New York’s LGBTQ+ community came together one day in May to have their portraits taken by queer photographer Emil Cohen. The participants included Billions actor Daniel K. Isaac, musician JD Samson and James Whiteside, the principal dancer/choreographer of the American Ballet Theatre.
Each lent their unique personal style to modeling the sweatshirt and shared how Pride has changed over their lifetimes and what inspires them about being LGBTQ+ in 2022.
Please note: All proceeds from the sale of the sweatshirt will be donated to charity.
He transitioned from 2009 to 2011. Of the artwork he created for the sweatshirt, he says, “I was thinking about how camouflage is both a way to conceal a body as well as a pattern associated with masculinity and strength, and so I wanted to create a camo pattern out of bodies–transmasculine bodies which aren’t seen in popular culture much. The premise was trying to figure out what makes a man a man.” In his spare time, he volunteers and is a board member at Out Youth, which offers young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities a place where they are loved, acknowledged, and accepted for exactly who they are.
“My transition gave me the freedom to explore more of myself within my own work; it gave me permission to question identities about gender.”
“The first time I could vote was 2008. And that year Obama won, but Proposition 8 [a state ballot initiative banning gay marriage] passed, so it was a celebratory moment and a terrible moment at the same time. And that kind of encapsulated my feelings about how Pride evolves. It is a bit like being in a lurching car.”
“After the pandemic we’re finally in a place where we can all be together for Pride. We need to rejoice. Be present and fight every day, live every day as if it is our last.”
“A lot of folks are taking their identities into their own hands in ways I find really beautiful, and when you see the streets filled with people who are doing that, it makes me really excited as opposed to feeling ashamed.”
“I grew up in Ohio, so I would look forward all year to going to Pride in New York just to see people like myself. Now, my students [at NYU] make me so optimistic because they feel free to identify with gender fluidity and demand respect for who they are.”
“I absolutely adore seeing so much more LGBTQ+ representation in TV and Film. When I was a teenager, we had Queer As Folk and that was pretty much it!”
“The legalisation of gay marriage would be the biggest cause of optimism in my lifetime because this acceptance by society as a whole allows people to embrace who they are and have more pride in themselves.”
“Over the past fifteen years it has been great to see how lots of different types LGBTQ+ expressions have been given part of the stage. Pride isn’t just very toned, white Adonises on floats anymore.” –Scout
100% of the purchase price of the sweatshirts will be donated to support VISUAL AIDS, a non-profit that utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over.
In addition, we will be donating $10,000 to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Learn more about Visual AIDS and how to support.
Learn more about the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and how to support.
