Queer Data Portraits

This project explores the intersection of data visualization and portraiture to represent the identities and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, the project transforms personal narratives into abstract visual compositions. Inspired by datasets such as the 2022 Transgender Survey and the Movement Advancement Project’s LGBTQIA+ legislative maps, I developed a questionnaire that I distributed to four close friends, gathering insights into their identities, relationships, and lived experiences.

Each portrait encodes specific data points, including age, astrological sign, coming-out timeline, impactful legislation, and familial support, using visual markers such as color, shape, and positioning. The fluid and layered nature of these elements reflects the complexity of queer identity. Additionally, personal materials provided by each participant are included in interactive pockets, emphasizing the evolving nature of self-perception.

By blending artistic abstraction with data-driven representation, this project challenges conventional portraiture and offers a nuanced depiction of queer identity. The goal is not only to make personal experiences visible but also to encourage viewers to reflect on their own identities and relationships to queerness.