IV Pride: Kameron White
KAMERON WHITE
(He/Him | Xe/Xem)
LGBTQ+
Transgender | Pansexual
Jewel IV x Kameron
Jewel IV: How was your “coming out” process?
Kameron: A bit rocky. I came out as Trans when I was 12, however, it was seen as a phase, same with me coming out as being attracted to all genders. I had an experience through church in middle school that was terribly homophobic and affected me. Through high school, I've started to find myself, and was happy and out as Pansexual. In college, I started back to my gender identity and came out as Trans. It was received with acceptance but some confusion at first. I don't blame my parents and family, no one prepares you for having a Trans child, but through the years, they've educated themselves and have supported me through my journey.
Jewel IV: Does your lifestyle influence your art or creative process?
Kameron: Growing up as a Black and Indigenous Trans man, I didn't see many characters/people like myself in terms of race, gender, sexuality, experience, or body type. In my body of work, I want to include as much diversity as I can. I also aim to document my own personal stories, by illustrating comics going through my personal journey as a Trans man of color. With my stories, I hope to inspire and help other people who might relate and know that there is someone who has been there too. I also place these characters in sceneries that are not common in history, especially Black and Brown LGBTQ+ bodies in mythological and religious settings.
Jewel IV: How will you continue to contribute to celebrating your pride and what it means to you?
Kameron: Continuing to live my life is my biggest celebration, but through my work again through all the pain we suffered, I love to highlight us in iconic imagery and specifically religious imagery. Religion has hurt us but I'm claiming it back to highlight us as higher beings. Pride means to me, taking care of each other and uplifting each other. Thanking our Queer Elders before us and continuing on their legacy by pushing to be ourselves without having to hide.
Jewel IV: Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ artist or creative, and why?
Kameron: Juno Birch is a big fav, Love how she as a Trans Woman uses her sculptures to "blur the lines between masculine and feminine attributes", J.C. Leyendecker and although he was not out at the time, I love his highlights of homoeroticism through his work, Ruben Guadalupe Marquez celebrates the LGBTQIA+ communitiy through iconic collage art that merges religious and Latinx imagery, Jean-Michel Basquiat with his political and frequently referenced social justice issues surrounding class and race, and James Baldwin being one of the biggest and most influential writers in history.
Jewel IV: What would you say to a creative who is struggling with identity, self-confidence, or assurance?
Kameron: It's okay if you're not sure of your identity at the moment. It doesn't have to be now and you have room and time to figure it out. Just keep exploring and living, it'll come to you.
