In our conversations about how to best open a generative space for forging activist and research connections and partnerships, we began to imagine what sort of group exercise could bring us to the table with open minds and imaginations.

Therefore we have a small and important request. In our conversations about how to best open a generative space for forging activist and research connections and partnerships, we began to imagine what sort of group exercise could bring us to the table with open minds and imaginations. Therefore we ask each QIS participant to draw and bring your own mental map of queer NYC to the QIS workshop.

A mental map is your own hand-drawn or labelled map–by “labelled map” I mean using a GoogleMap printout or NYC subway, for example. Include all of the places and spaces that you would identify as queer. You can spend as long as you like on drafting your map, use color or not, and they only need be 8.5″x11″ (a regular size piece of paper). All levels of drawing skills are expected and welcome. It does not matter when these places existed, but do your best to label them. It also does not matter what your sexual identity is or if you are from NYC or beyond; everyone’s geographical imagination of the queer city is key regardless of how detailed or recent it may be. The map will be a part of the afternoon group workshop to kick off conversations and collaborations. Just like every voice matters, every map matters.

See you soon with your mental maps!