The journey toward becoming an ally is not always straightforward. It involves learning, growing, and reflecting on the realities faced by communities that do not hold majority status in society. My own experience encountering how a non-majority culture is expressed has been deeply influenced by the powerful art of Professor Mary Beth Akre and her latest exhibition, We’re All Stories, which is being held at Loyola’s Julio Fine Arts gallery from February 21 to April 3, 2025. A group of friends and I went to visit the exhibition! The exhibition highlights the experiences and stories of members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, which is a non-majority group in many societies.
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| An overview and showcase outside the gallery |
This exhibition, featuring contributions from Loyola’s LGBTQ+ community, is a powerful mix of personal stories and art. Akre’s work was influenced by her Safe Zone training and her first Trans Day of Remembrance in 2022, where she was struck by the grief of learning about the violence faced by transgender individuals. As the names of those lost were read aloud, she was moved to act—not just as an observer but as an active ally.
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| These are the "We're All Stories" Artifacts |
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| A picture of a memorial |
This exhibition, along with its accompanying book, is not just a collection of art and stories; it is a call to action. It challenges us to listen, reflect, and act. We must stand up against violence and hate, support our transgender friends, family, and students, and create safe spaces where all individuals can thrive. In doing so, we honor the truth that we are all stories, stories that deserve to be told, respected, and celebrated. Through this exhibition, Akre honors the transgender lives lost to violence with memorial portraits and celebrates the strength of LGBTQ+ individuals with stories that offer raw, honest insights into their experiences. These personal narratives resonate far more deeply than statistics, showing the emotional toll of systemic injustice and the resilience of the community. We’re All Stories is a reminder that allyship is a continual process, one that requires listening, empathy, and action. By supporting exhibitions like this, we help create a world where every story is valued and heard.
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