User:Garzie/gap analysis

Gap analysis
LGBTQI Artists


 * Document the gap you found, describe how you identified it, and analyze its impact on knowledge.

The gap I would like to identify is the vast divide in the LGBT artist category on Wikipedia. I came across this gap while trying to see if there was a specific queer artist to fill a gap for. While I initially wanted to fill a gap for Erika Moen, queer comic book artist, I noticed that the lists were particularly white. Within this category there are links to LGBT artists by nationality, bisexual artists, LGBT comic artists, gay artists, lesbian artists, queer artists, and transgender artists. For the majority of these categories, white artists from predominantly the United States, Europe, and Australia are noted and have information written about them. Zanale Muholi, a predominate lesbian artist of color from South Africa is not listed on either the lesbian artist page or queer artist page under Wikipedia, even though her identification as a lesbian is stated on her page. Under the category, artists by nationality, the only non western country listed was Samoa, even though there are other non western artists that fall under the LGBTQI category, like Frida Kahlo. This gap of linking and acknowledging LGBTQI artists of color from around the world creates a very white narrative for those looking for art through a queer lens. This whitewashing of LGBTQI artists takes away the intersection of sexual orientation, race, and how people express that.


 * Propose a paragraph of new or substantially edited content based on reliable sources. (If you are editing existing content, post the current version along with your edited version, and clearly mark which is which.)

I propose that better links within artists pages be made and connect to several pages within the LGBTQI artist page. For example, Frida Kahlo is a bisexual Mexican artist. You would be able to find her linked under both “bisexual artists” category as well as the “LGBTQI artists from Mexico” subcategory under the “LGBTQI artists by nationality” category. Searching for these artists’ histories and creating an archive of their works, then connecting them to the appropriate LGBTQI pages will help bridge this gap. The links attached are archives of queer artists of color or personal websites of specific artists that do not have the same representation as their white counterparts on Wikipedia.


 * List the reliable sources that could be used to improve this gap. (You can use the Cite tool from the editing toolbar above to input and format your sources.)

http://www.artactivistnia.com/book.html https://elabarton.wordpress.com/ http://wutsang.com/about/?r=3965977 http://www.bigfreedia.com/ https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/zanele_muholi