I was a little gay boy growing up in the 1960’s and ‘70’s in rural Ontario. When words were used to belittle, humiliate and hurt me, I would lock them away. That’s not the same as throwing them away. I kept them. Hidden. A part of me I didn’t want anyone to see, but that I couldn’t ignore. As I grew, so did the list, clinging to me like a second skin.

I’ve kept journals since the early 1980’s. Each of the words that make up “Understatement” has appeared somewhere in them. Many of them multiple times. Finding love and community profoundly affected how I engage with language. Words that once caused unseen scars are now badges of honour. They have become labels that have been embraced by the LGBTQ+community and are worn proudly and defiantly.

Will Munro, the multi-talented Canadian queer artist, was known for his wonderful works using men’s underwear, as well as Vazaleen, his gritty monthly punk club nights that were popular in Toronto in the early 2000’s. I was lucky to attend a handful of these celebrations of all things queer – even getting a handful of my beautiful boyfriend down his pants on the dance floor one night. “Understatement” is a love letter to Will and all the fruits, faeries, punks, pansies and poofters who dance and delight in our collective queerness.

Philip Hare

www.philiphare.com

2024