Page 37 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

from the University of Paris-Dau- ers, designers, stage managers, globe. He works with high profile
phine, where his research focused interns, apprentices, technicians clients producing content for fash-
on Mathematical Finance. He was and more. Claire says this work ion brands, print publications and
also awarded a Master’s Degree in is her life and, more importantly, advertising agencies. His small-
Mathematics Applied to Economic this work has saved lives. It is why town upbringing and having to
Sciences from Dauphine, as well she exists. figure everything out on his own
as a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied inspired him to reach out to sub-
Mathematics and Social Sciences. ANDREW BEAR urban and rural LGBTQ youth
He also holds a Master’s Degree in (He, Him) is 28 and to be sure that resources are
Science and Executive Engineering SMALL BUSINESS—Founder available. He is making sure that
from the Ecole des Mines de Paris, Photo-Video Production Company youth in our country and around Claire Avitabile
where he specialized in Quantita- the world gain the confidence to
tive Finance. Andrew Bear always knew who stand up for themselves and oth-
he was, and he refused to be bullied. ers and ask for help whenever they
CLAIRE AVITABILE Growing up in a small New Hamp- need it. At the Tyler Clementi
(She, Her) is 36 shire border town and attending Foundation, Andrew has been giv-
NON-PROFIT—Arts and Theater school in Maine, there weren’t a en that opportunity and is making
Founder lot of resources or a community of a difference.
LGBTQ people to join. Andrew re-
Claire Avitabile saw a void that calls one incident where kids from EBONÉ BELL
needed filling and set out to make school tried to intimidate him; his (She, Her) is 36
a difference. Claire has worked mother overheard the cruel and SMALL BUSINESS—“Tagg You’re
tirelessly to provide space in the harassing telephone call and, lucky It” —Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Andrew Bear
Twin Cities theater community for him, his parents were able to
for LGBT artists, especially those intervene and help. Andrew knew Eboné Bell is an amazing force
artists identifying as queer, trans, he was blessed to have such a sup- in the LGBTQ community. Her
or non-binary. She saw a specific portive family and he realized at a tireless efforts building the award
need for the many transgender young age that he had a right to be winning Tagg Magazine and pro-
theater artists who had no safe proud. viding opportunities for exposure
place to cultivate and share their During high school Andrew and advancement of the LGBTQ
talents. Queer and transgender focused on being a singer and a community are an inspiration to
artists had difficulty finding jobs, performer, put his talents to work many. Tagg Magazine’s tagline
were rarely taken seriously in the creating showcases for The Jimmy is “everything lesbian, queer and
arts—their plays weren’t pro- Fund (Dana Farber Cancer Insti- under the rainbow”, and it has
duced, and they weren’t getting tute), raising funds to cure chil- become a central source for les- Eboné Bell
paid when they did have artistic dren’s cancer, and fundraising for bian and queer culture, news and
opportunities. “This all needed to better care for abandoned animals events. Eboné started her queer
change, so I started 20% Theatre around New England through for women’s publication and media
Company,” said Claire. Claire’s the New Hampshire Society for the company at age 30. Her goal was
goals: to empower and employ Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to create a publication that would
LGBTQ theatre/performance (NHSPCA). He has been an avid specifically engage segments of the
artists; to mentor emerging artists; fundraiser for many causes during LGBTQ community that were in-
and to have resources to pay each and after college. visible in other local LGBTQ pub-
and every artist for their work. In Andrew lives in Los Angeles lications. Eboné and her team have
the almost 12 years that the 20% now and is the co-founder of Oui organized events in DC, donated
Theatre Company has been in Productions, a full-service photo to non-profit organizations and set
existence, it has employed over and video production company up a scholarship fund for young
500 LGBTQ and allied artists providing personalized production queer women of color, among oth-
- as directors, performers, writ- support to companies across the er accomplishments.

BEQ PRIDE December 2017 | 37