About We Exist KY
"We Exist" is an heartfelt project born out of Skylar Davis' frustration with the ongoing attempts by Kentucky's legislature to pass anti-LGBTQ laws. These legislative efforts perpetuate harmful false narratives that dehumanize LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, leading to real-world consequences, as evidenced by a 19% rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals in 2022, according to the FBI. As an experienced organizer and a seasoned photographer, Skylar has witnessed firsthand how personal stories can profoundly impact individuals' opinions. Inspired by this, she aims to counter the villainization of Kentucky's LGBTQ+ community by channeling her emotions into her passions for photography and storytelling through "We Exist."
​
"We Exist" is a series of photographs and audio recordings that provides LGBTQ+ Kentuckians with a platform to control their narratives, showcasing their humanity and the diversity within the community. The project will represent individuals from 120 counties across Kentucky, ensuring a broad and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ voices. The final collection will be archived with the Faulkner Morgan Archive to preserve these stories for future generations.
About Us
Skylar Davis
Skylar Davis has been practicing photography for over 20 years and graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Eastern Kentucky University in 2012. She has woven storytelling and photography to create impactful exhibitions since her time at EKU. As a queer Appalachian woman, she understands the impact of visibility and the importance of marginalized folks having control of the stories we tell. The historical context of “outsiders” harmful portrayal of Appalachian lingers to this day. Her passion to make Kentucky more equitable extends beyond her art and into fundraising and organizing efforts.
From curating exhibitions to being a community organizer, her track record for facilitating community-focused events has been proven over and over again. She has consistently participated in the art community and in social justice spaces of Kentucky. Often utilizes her art to raise funds for organizations that support reproductive, racial, and food justice.
The Faulkner Morgan Archive is the largest independent, community-generated 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to sharing Kentucky-connected LGBTQ narratives. Our focus is to unequivocally affirm our community’s place in the rich tapestry of Kentucky’s past, present and future.
​
At the heart of the Faulkner Morgan Archive is an extensive collection of over 15,000 items and 250 hours of oral histories, covering 200 years of LGBTQ life in Kentucky. This resource serves as a powerful tool for activists, scholars, artists, and museums seeking to explore and elevate Kentucky’s LGBTQ history.
In honor of Shae Metcalf
Shea Metcalf grew up in Lancaster, KY. He moved to NYC, where he became a model. Through his NYC modeling career, he became friends with legendary artists such as Paul Cadmus, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol.
The relationship between the Faulkner Morgan Archive and Skylar Davis began in 2015 when Skylar discovered the archive included items from her cousin Shea Metcalf, a Kentuckian who lived an extraordinary life in NYC but tragically passed from AIDS in 1991. It wasn't until 2015, that Skylar knew his story thanks to a friend who spoke of him. The Archive also worked to identify Shea in photographs within the Andy Warhol Foundation Archive.