Matthew Richardson is a dancer and acrobat specializing in circus art Roue Cyr, as well as the author of the video project "Hallelujah", in which he talks about the confrontation between religion and the LGBTQ community.
Note: The video project "Hallelujah" was published on YouTube five years ago, but its message about the complex relationship between religion and the LGBTQ community remains incredibly relevant today. We added it to the magazine to remind us how art helps to talk about important topics and stimulates dialogue that continues to form even years later.
Religion and LGBTQ... why did Matthew Richardson choose this particular topic?
"I think religion plays a huge role in why LGBTQ people feel so much rejection and discrimination from the world. So much of it stems from religious beliefs that we in the queer community don't belong here.", says Richardson.
For Matthew, the religious theme in speeches is the answer to anyone who has used their religious beliefs as a weapon against others, to force others to conform to their model, or to make someone feel bad about who they are.
The video project "Hallelujah" was filmed to the version of the song "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
"This song was my obvious choice once I realized I wanted to turn to religion. As soon as the concept started to form in my mind, I knew this was the song I wanted to use.", says Matthew. There is a perfect sense of irony, beauty, and pain in this song. A song about love and loss, about human experience.
The dancers are Guillaume Paquin and Arthur Morel Van Hifte.
"I hope that those who belong to the queer community will feel peaceful. I hope it inspires and heals. And for those who hold religious faith, I hope it will inspire reflection on how we should treat those who are different. I hope this inspires the world to be even more kind," Matthew Richardson said about his work.
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