View ReStore's New Pride Month Display

Several years ago, ReStore Logistics Manager Robert Shell began creating a Pride-themed art installation to display at New Brighton ReStore during LGBTQ Pride Month. “I did a Pride DIY project in 2022 for display and education, and I decided to keep the tradition going,” Robert says. His latest display continues the tradition of using upcycled art to affirm and educate ReStore visitors about the issues facing LGBTQ members of our community.

Robert's first art piece involved painting and organizing a collection of donated bricks in the shape of the Pride flag to honor the Stonewall uprisings. Last year, after ReStore received a large donation of doors, Robert painted a Pride door to symbolize how Pride Month opens doors for LGBTQ youth. This year, Robert’s display is just as creative and moving, as it highlights the threats and hostility that LGBTQ people too often face.

Queer Youth Deserve to be Queer Adults

The theme of Robert's impactful Pride display is "Queer youth deserve to be queer adults." The installation is made up of donated mannequins painted in the colors of various Pride flags. The youth mannequin is painted with the colors of the traditional rainbow Pride flag. It represents the vast diversity of queer youth. The adult mannequins celebrate trans and non-binary adulthood—a milestone that too many LGBTQ youth never attain.

The display reminds us that the livability of these communities is continually under threat socially and structurally. “It also serves as a call to action for everyone to create a more just world where queer youth can grow into healthy and joyous queer adults,” Robert says.

The display is dedicated to Matthew Shepard (1976-1998) and Nex Benedict (2008-2024), all those between and before, as we commit to creating and maintaining a world in which LGBTQ youth can be safe and affirmed as they grow to become queer adults.

When viewing the display, you can learn some of the staggering statistics concerning LGBTQ+ youth (provided by The Trevor Project), further highlighting why Pride Month is necessary:

• 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people ages 13 to 24 seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. At least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
  
  
• 60% of LGBTQ+ young people report that they have experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation at least once in their lifetime.
  
  
• LGBTQ+ young people who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those who felt low or moderate support.

Robert and the entire ReStore crew hope that anyone who visits the store feels supported, seen, and heard. The importance of acceptance and support from adults and peers, as well as the creation of affirming spaces, cannot be overstated. ReStore and Twin Cities Habitat are proud to be spaces where all are welcome.

Robert's Pride display will be at the New Brighton ReStore through June. Come take a look!