When in the course of human events, a person must assert their existence against forces that would deny their dignity, there rises a necessity to proclaim, with conviction and clarity, the unyielding truth of their being. American Faggot Party stands as such a proclamation—a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and enduring spirit of the queer community.
In the year 2025, as the rights and freedoms of queer individuals once again face the blade of oppression, this exhibition declares:We are here. We are queer. You shall reconcile with this truth. Through this curated experience, the intergenerational struggle between queerness and the forces of exclusion is laid bare. It is a confrontation, a reckoning, and a celebration.
This is not merely a collection of art, but a chronicle of endurance. From the harrowing losses of the AIDS crisis to the battles of today, this show honors those who came before us—those whose sacrifices laid the foundation for our ongoing fight for liberation. It bears witness to the beauty forged from trauma, the light born from shadows, and the collective strength that sustains a person's determination to live freely.
AFP will serve as both a beacon and a sanctuary. It is a space where the queer community may find solace, strength, and solidarity amidst the tumult of a hostile era. It is a rallying cry for recognition, a demand to be seen, heard, and freed.
— Noted NY Artist, Quil Lemons Headlines Stanley’s Inauguration with “American Faggot Party” —
Celebrated artist and 2024 Twenty Summers resident Quil Lemons, will curate a first-of-its-kind happening, American Faggot Party.
Lemons calls American Faggot Party a “declaration of resilience and liberation.” He states, “Our aim is to spotlight contemporary queer art that celebrates queer life after AIDS and challenges norms, and foster dialogue around issues of diversity, identity, representation, and equality.”
In 2021, Lemons became the youngest photographer to shoot a Vanity Fair cover. He will exhibit selections from his own work in “American Faggot Party” and will curate the work of these acclaimed artists:
Quil Lemons (curator)
“Quil Lemons has already made an indelible mark on the world of photography, his voice and his vision behind the launch of American Faggot Party is the kind of gutsy, provocative fusion of art and ideas that Twenty Summers and Stanley are proud to support. Our hope is that the dialogue created here will continue to empower the queer community and raise the voices of diverse artists and their work,” noted Mark Walsh, Chairman of the Twenty Summers Board of Directors.
American Faggot Party opens on Friday, June 27 and runs through Sunday, September 28, 2025. Sign up to our newsletter for gallery hours, events, and more!