James Lecesne's Blog

SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS:

So thrilled that 2012 is here. And we are living. I'm looking forward to making my presence here on this blog a bit more consistent, and keep y'all up to date on what's going on.  One thing I am so thrilled about is this new project which is the brainchild of 26 year old artist-activist io Tillet-Wright.  It's called SELF EVIDENT TRUTHS andshe started the project last year as part of an exhibition called Manifest Equality. She photographed anyone who felt as though LGBTQ applied to them -- in NYC, LA San Francisco and Seattle. The message is so simple, but then needed a broader spectrum of faces to really bring the point home. Now her goal is to take the project national, shooting 4,000-5,000 faces across the United States, hitting 25 cities in three big road trips. Love this project, love this artist.  

http://selfevidentproject.com/About_Self_Evident_Truths.html

http://selfevidentproject.com/Self_Evident_Faces.html#24

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NEW ORLEANS!!

On Friday, Dec. 3rd,  eleven little girls, ages 8 & 9 and one ten year old participants of the What Girls Know workshop at North Rampart Community Center gave a presentation of their original play, Magnolia and Truth.  This was after only three days since they had come up with the story which begins, of course, with...

Once upon a time there was a girl named Magnolia.  She didn't know where she came from, because she can be in one place for only 24 hours at a time.  Every morning she wakes up in a different and strange place and doesn't know where she is.  When she woke up yesterday, there was another girl there with her.  Her name was Truth and she was looking for her parents.  Magnolia hoped they would be friends.  Magnolia and Truth set out on the next 24 hour journey.  They go to three lands:  Helping Land, Bubbleland, Mexico, and Hollywood Land.  In each Land they discover something important that ultimately helps Magnolia and Truth find their way home.

Kourtney Heart, the 17 year-old local singing sensation in New Orleans ("My Boy") delighted girls and audience alike with her portrayal of Truth.  She and the girls sang in a call and response style set to the rhythm of "Billie Jean".  Each girl portrayed the character she had created and resided in her chosen Land.  Ciera Payton, Associate Director of What Girls Know, and wonderful young actress played Magnolia.

HUGE THANK YOU's to Coach Parker, Director of the North Rampart Community Center, and everyone at NRCC who went beyond the call of duty to make the What Girls Know workshop a big success. 

AND Thank you  to Brenda Currin, Artistic Director of What Girls Know who made it happen.

www.whatgirlsknow.com

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I was contacted via FACEBOOk by a  teacher at a performing arts school in Connecticut. When his students heard about The Trevor Project and It Gets Better, they wanted to take a different perspective -- "We WANT It To Get Better". 

The teacher, Jeremy Leiner, gave his students the opportunity to weigh in on the events of the past months and provide a platform for them to express their own feelings as the generation currently dealing with this issue. All students were given an open forum to record a message they wanted to share with their peers as allies. The campaign has become a way for youth to address the issue of ignorance and intolerance right now. The resounding message became, "You are not alone."

Watching these incredibly brave and articulate kids gives me so much hope and part of that hope involves YOU! Spread the word.  We just want to reach as many young people as possible and we know that you can help us do that. 

Like so many others, we want to see things change, and I know that these kids will help shape the future to make that happen. Thank you so much to Jeremy -- our local hero. . 

Here's to the future! The direct link to the video is: 

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I had the great good fortune of attending the NYC premiere of the new HARRY POTTER movie. What a thrill! LOVED the movie, and to watch how these young actors have matured into proper actors is a great treat. The film itself was super fun. And the good news is -- there's another one coming out next year. Afterwards, I attended a very cool little after-thing where I got to meet Daniel Radcliffe and his charming parents. As many of you know, Daniel has been big supporters of the THE TREVOR PROJECT. Last year, he put Trevor on the map when he did a PSA for us, and ever since he's been a very vocal supporter of the cause. He is a total hero of mine.

 

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BEGIN Okay here goes — my first blog on my brand new site — and how appropriate that it begin with thanks: THANKS to the amazing David Martinez at BONFIRE STUDIOS for making my website and for making the making of it so much fun. You can hire him, you know. Reach him here. He'll change your life — and your look.

And THANKS to Levi-Strauss for their $50,000 challenge grant to THE TREVOR PROJECT which was recently matched by Google. With an additional $53,000 from individual donors, that brings the total to $153,000. If YOU would like to contribute something to The TREVOR PROJECT, please visit our website. And keep in mind — that $53,000 was in donations of $5.00 through our mobile giving campaign! And thanks galore,

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