Mending: an act of love

  Mending: An Act of Love is a collaboration with my youngest child, who is non-binary. For the past three years we have been altering their baby clothes to reflect the gender they identify with. It's been a healing project to work on together, and has helped me channel my fear and rage surrounding the anti-trans legislation being written into law in the United States. There are currently 321 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills waiting to be decided. Politicians are trying to outlaw drag shows in public, ban trans girls from playing in school sports, make it a felony offense for doctors to provide life saving gender affirming care, which delays puberty and is reversible if a child changes their mind. Some states are even trying to charge parents of trans kids with child abuse for providing them access to doctors who provide gender affirming care. Numerous studies have shown that gender affirming care saves lives. One recent study showed youth who gained access to gender-affirming hormones during early adolescence decreased the chances of severe psychological distress by 222 percent. Blocking access to this form of medical treatment is criminal. 

An accompanying public workshop is taking place Saturday, May 19th at 11am at 21C Museum Hotel in Chicago, where the above piece is displayed at their current exhibition. See below for details.

Mending Workshop with Michelle Hartney at 21c Museum Hotel

May 19 th , 11 am – 12:30 pm

Free, ticketed event

Mending is a group workshop offered by artist Michelle Hartney for trans adults and
children and their parents and caregivers. People are invited to bring clothing and
Hartney will help each participant alter the clothing to reflect their preferred gender
expression. Beginning as an act of love for her youngest child who is transgender, Hartney started
altering their baby clothes. The project soon became a collaboration with the artist’s child
sharing how they would like their baby clothes to look. Working on the project together
was healing and gave the artist an opportunity to honor her child and let them know they
are seen and loved for being authentic to themselves. 

All supplies for this workshop will be provided; you only need to bring the garments you
wish to alter. No prior art/sewing experience is required; there are several options to alter
clothing that do not involve sewing. This workshop will provide a safe space for all.

Registration is required as space is limited.
Register here