Celebrating LGBTQIAPN+ Stories
Led by Dr. Fernanda Duarte.
Interactive Projections by Abby Rinaldi.
Visual Identity by Haley Cummings.
Public Relations by Shelbi Simpson.
Explore Powerful Autobiographical Narratives
“Every Person is an Invention” is an interactive exhibit celebrating LGBTQIAPN+ voices through autobiographical storytelling. Experience personal narratives and explore diverse identities in this unique multimedia exhibition at NC State University sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Science’s Wellness and Belonging grant.
Exhibit overview
“Every Person is an Invention” features compelling personal stories created by LGBTQIAPN+ individuals, offering visitors a chance to engage deeply with themes of identity, childhood, and self-expression. Developed from an online storytelling workshop led by Marginalia Making in April 2024, this exhibit empowers and amplifies LGBTQIAPN+ community voices.
Interactive Installations
The Story of My Name: An interactive projection exploring the meaning behind given and chosen names.
Child’s Play: Share how your favorite childhood games influenced your understanding of gender expression.
Letter to a Child: Read heartfelt letters from participants addressing their younger selves.
Collective Poem: Contribute to a dynamic, collaborative poem created live by visitors.
Special Opening Event
The exhibit opened on April 2nd at 12:30 pm for our exhibit opening, and featured a brief presentation by Dr. Fernanda Duarte and Marginalia Making. It included interactive activities such as button-making with the NC State Libraries Makerspace, DJing and playlist creation with the Digital Media Lab, and complimentary treats from our candy bar.
Key Event Details
Dates: April 2–4, 2025
Time: 12 pm – 5 pm daily
Location: Cyma Rubin Visualization Gallery, D.H. Hill Jr. Library, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Admission: Free and open to everyone
Project Leadership
“Every Person is an Invention” is a community outreach initiative originally conceptualized by Dr. Juarez Guimarães from NEEPEC, a Brazilian research group in Performance and Gender Studies. This exhibit marks a collaboration between Dr. Fernanda Duarte (Department of Communication, NC State), Marginalia Making students, and NEEPEC at UFMG in Brazil.
About Marginalia Making
Marginalia Making explores the intersection of creativity, community, and social justice through critical making as an act of care. Led by Dr. Fernanda Duarte, the group fosters projects that amplify marginalized voices and build inclusive communities.
Learn more: Marginalia Making | Instagram
About NEEPEC
NEEPEC advances understanding of diverse identities through academic and community initiatives in Performance and Gender Studies.
Learn more: NEEPEC
CONTACT
For more information, contact Dr. Fernanda Duarte at fduarte@ncsu.edu.
