Visibility 2016: Where We Are Now drew a crowd for its opening and panel discussion February 17. Visibility photos in FP and 89th Street lobby spaces and those in archive books from previous exhibits pay tribute to the LGBTQ community who are part of our Dalton family, extended family and friends. Created in partnership with the Parents' Association and many groups within the school, Visibility exhibits draw ally support and submissions from all stakeholders within our community: parents, faculty, students, staff, administration, trustees, and alumni.
Dalton held the school's first exhibits in 2011 and 2012 with educator Jennifer Bryan as the featured speaker, then in 2014 with marriage equality activist Evan Wolfson. This year, the opening offered a panel discussion moderated by Christine Leja whose theme, "representation and intersectionality" elicited a wide-ranging and fascinating topical array of responses from panelists Suzanne and Bruce Poli, Dalton parents Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Dalton alum Jean-Robert Andre ('03), Dalton teacher Geoffrey Perry, and current senior Urie Dvorozniak ('16). Look for more information about the Visibility planning process and about the conversation generated by the panelists in Kathy Franco's feature article in the forthcoming issue of the Daltonian, an issue of the paper that will focus on the LGBTQ community. Meanwhile, Visibility exhibits will be on display in the FP East lobby and the 89th Street lobby until March 8, and Health and Wellness program director Justine Fonte will lead a conversation among Dalton faculty members at the HS assembly February 25 on the topic of coming out and self-representation.
Story provided by Middle and High School French Teacher Tracy Christopher