#artofdiscovery

[tchuang]

@renhotels #artofdiscovery (at 台北士林萬麗酒店Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq4Uo40gdnW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mneo70pcfxle

[tchuang]

@renhotels #artofdiscovery https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq4NxTbA4NK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gvos2uz0i6h2

[abdullah-aytekin]

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ Uzun zamandır bir araya gelemeyince özleştik ve geciktirmeden bir araya geldik. Keyifli sohbet, kahve, çay hepsinden daha önemlisi Dost ile muhabbet. Tatile çıkmadan önce bir araya gelebildik. Zira kendisini yakalamak da kolay değil. Sevgi adamı Sevgili Hakan Arslan ve can kardeşimiz Sevgili Şeyda Bulut güzel ve keyifli anlar için çok teşekkürler. • ☕️🍪🍧☕️ @renaissancebosphorushotel @RenHotels #artofdiscovery @gts_guesttravel #business #holiday #online #holidays #istanbul #kahve #TürkKahvesi #TurkKahvesi #coffee #TurkishCoffee #coffeelove #coffeelover @harslan6585 @seydabulut1905 #traveladdict #travelgram #instatravel #photooftheday #exploreeverything #istanbul #Bosphorus #traveltheworld #artofdiscovery #hotelier #salesandmarketing #business #cooperation #dostluk #firends #mates #friendship #mate 🔱 👨🏻‍💻🌍🌃🌅🌏 #EMA #GCC #definitelyIstanbul #BeOurGUESTinTurkey #GuestTravelServices #GTS @gts_guesttravel 🔱 (at Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqM833dgLgT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3uelnp6l845w

[kudzunewsletter-blog]

Student Spotlight: Leah and Selena

Hey Selena and Leah! Tell us a little about yourselves!

Leah: I'm a recent APU (Azuza Pacific University) graduate with a BA in English. Writing is my passion and I hope to write poems, short stories, and novels in the future for the queer community.

Selena: I just graduated APU with an BA in Liberal Studies. I work as a behavioral therapist for kids with autism. I am passionate about education as well as helping the LGBTQ community, especially the youth!

What does spiritual violence mean to you?

Leah: Spiritual violence to me means using one's faith and religious tenets to demonize and dehumanize a group of people, usually contradicting the call to love that all religions have.

Selena: To me spiritual violence is using religion in order to wrongly justify the oppression and hatred of groups of people.

 When and why was Haven created at Azuza?

I'm not sure of the exact time that Haven was created, but it was definitely created for the queer people on campus can meet each other and have a safe space to not only vent, but also to learn more about the queer community and our rights.

 What were the goals for the “Art of Discovery” open mic night?

The goals of Art of Discovery is always to provide a space for queer expression.

 What was the process like or creating the event in the community? Who did you reach out for to help?

Putting on this event requires not only reaching out to Haven members and other queer people on campus, but also resources around us. We were able to connect with the San Gabriel LGBTQ Center and the leader, Aaron was able to help us out with a location and technology we needed. He was essential in this and we are grateful to him.

 Why is it important that LGBTQ students have opportunities like this to share their thoughts and art?

Expression is granted to everyone, but somehow there are certain types of expression on many Christian campuses that make others uncomfortable for all the wrong reasons, so they are silenced. It is important to give everyone a voice and let them know, we hear you and we want to hear you. Everyone deserves to feel their voice is valued.

 How did you feel after the open mic night?

Leah: Empowered is the only word. I felt like we did our best and put on a great night. Hearing the expression in the room and being surrounded by support is truly empowering.

Selena: I would say I felt fulfilled after Art of Discovery; it was a great feeling seeing Haven members,  APU alumni, and friends all come to support one another. It was definitely an event I won't forget.

 What is the significance of coordinating a national movement of Christian college students?

Leah: It's important to show that queer Christians exist. We are here, we are queer, we love Jesus, and we deserve to be loved just like everyone else in the Christian community. I've experienced people saying that I couldn't be Christian while being who I am, which is frustrating.

Selena: Coordinating a national movement of Christian college students is vital to show that there are more of us than they may think, as well as more allies and supporters. We need to make sure people know that we will not be silenced nor will we give up.

 What do you envision for Haven’s future? What do you envision for the future of APU?

Leah: I envision Haven actually being able to meet on campus with a faculty sponsor, openly fundraise, openly hold on-campus events, be known on campus, and basically operate in the open like a regular club instead of behind the scenes. It shouldn't be such a secret that queer people can't find us.

Selena: I would hope that Haven will one day be able to be an official club on campus rather than something that is hidden. I'm not sure if that will be able to happen soon, but I can say that this year we have made more progress and become more known than I thought we would!

 Lastly, if you could travel anywhere on Earth for one week, where would you go and why?

Leah: This is going to sound interesting, but I would want to be wherever Harry Styles is. It is my dream to meet him and thank him because he was honestly the reason why I came out a year ago. Harry has always shown the queer community support and preaches love. I would love to hang out with him wherever he is in the world.

Selena: This is a tough one...but I'm probably gonna be cliche and say I'd love to go to Bora Bora; it really seems like paradise to me.

-Haven at APU-

[levihastingsart]

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I recently completed this fun project for #Enterprise and their Summer road trip #ArtInExploration series. I was assigned to profile some of the destinations within a short drive of Seattle.