Coming Out in 1993 Artwork

I wanted to express my coming out story as an art piece that reflected my feelings of the experience. It was 1993, and we were at the height of fearing AIDS, secretly slipping into gay bars, hiding our identities at work. In the center of this piece, the 24ct emerald cut Moissanite represents me, and the sparkling, beautiful, creative being that I could be if I was brave enough to break away from my constraints. Brave enough to risk my relationships with my family and friends. Brave enough to fear being fired for who I was. Brave enough to have the Church tell me I wasn't welcome anymore. As I decided it was time, the gleaming gem is breaking free from its confines, ready to seek authenticity. The four corners represent destinations on my self-discovery. Some will be safe and welcoming. Some will be rejecting and hurtful. The path was not made up of straight streets with easy turns; instead I navigated through a maze, with emotional clouds and rivers that often crossed my path and became obstacles and speed bumps. Today I live in the far left corners where I feel free to be me.This is a picture of my story, but I hope it inspires anyone, everyone, that you should not let the confines of society hold you back. Be you, every day