Sarah Kirk-Hanley Manhattan Graphics Center MGC Manhattan Graphics Center discriminates against and censors LGBTQ+ Artists New York New York

Manhattan Graphics Center, under the direction of its Executive Director Sarah Kirk-Hanley, and with the consent of its Board of Directors, overtly and without remorse discriminates against gay male artists by singling out and censoring their works. 

Yes, an organization, that receives public funding, has for the past year specifically targeted gay male artists for Censorship and blatent discrimination.

Specifically, Sarah Kirk-Hanley and many of the board members find that gay male images offend their  personal sensibilities and have manufactured many excuses to prevent gay MGC members from exhibiting their artwork.   These same people do not have any issues with straight artists portraying sadism, lewdness, lynching, exhibitionism, violence or the nude female figure.     The only works that are censored are male images produced by gay artists.  They have been unrepentant and enthusiatic participants in the culture wars and refuse to publicly apologize or change their ways.    They continue to overtly discriminate and censor artists that are gay.   DO NOT DONATE or JOIN.

Their excuses have been:

A. Social Media platforms will not allow the imagery - FALSE, as all platforms care out exceptions for artwork.

     Facebook Commmunity Standards Section 14. Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/objectionable_content  "... We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures, and other art that depicts nude figures."

     Instagram Community Standards https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119  "... Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too."

B. This is standard practice for Galleries. - FALSE.  Some galleries, who specifically target families and children, choose to post trigger warnings, but they are general an cover everything in the exhibit, not just a single piece of artwork.  MGC's Mission statement specifically says that it "... supports the learning and practice of fine art printmaking for artists in the Greater New York City metro area.  We provide an affordable, inclusive, professional printmaking studio and exhibition space where artists can develop an present their work".

C. Regulations protecting children - FALSE

   The Children's Internet Protection Act (c**a) only applies to businesses that received funding through the LIbrary Services and Technology Act, Title III and the Universal Service discount program.

   The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) only restricts digital entities from collection personal information from users under the age of 13 without the express permission of their parents and guardians.

D. "I dont' want to have to explain gay imagery to my children" - But I guess they have no problem explaining sadism, lewdness, lynching, exhibitionism, violence and the nude female figure.

Until the Sarah Kirk-Hanley and the MGC Board of Directors publicly apologize for their discriminatory acts, and put in place rules to prevent censorship, no one should give this organization any money.