LOGO To Premieres Queer Prison Documentary 'Gays in Prison'

"My son’s first birthday was here. I would like to get out of here. I’ve been here for a long time. I would like you to help us get out." -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "We cannot be OK with the thought that a mother has to celebrate their child's birthday behind bars. Their crime was to be responsible and courageous because they defied borders in order to offer a better future for their children. How dare a government punish a mother's heroism? Instead, we should be building monuments that celebrate their resistance." -Julio Salgado

"They are thinking of making this place much bigger, and for what? To hold more immigrant families, because they want to keep more people in these precarious conditions." -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "Butterflies migrate and their migration is beautiful, they're not restricted by physical borders. When humans restrict the beauty and nature of human migration it brings pain and trauma. It was important for me to incorporate these messages into the image of what migration should be and how detention and deportation are not only unnatural, but also detrimental. Rebecca's letter illuminated the conditions that folks in detention are surviving day to day."- Chucha Marquez

"I am trusting my God who will quickly end this nightmare." -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "A visual collaboration with a letter written by a Honduran mother who is being kept at Karnes County Detention Center with her younger son after attempting to cross the border to be reunited with her family. Despite the traumatic and abusive conditions she faces at Karnes, she and her younger son reach across the US-Mexico Border to join hands with her older son who made it to Los Angeles. Their bodies are preserved with the light of a million stars, representing the millions of mothers, fathers, and children throughout history who attempt to cross the border into the US. Migrants risk enormous loss in the optimism of securing family and community in a new country. For as long as she lives, the Honduran mother, and millions of others, reach for each other and form constellations in the night despite the borders, detainments, and abuse of the US. This image is a tribute to their undefeatable optimism and resilience." -Jess X Chen

"There are some workers at this detentions center who think poorly of immigrants. We are also human beings, just as they are, and we have feelings." -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "The nation of Guatemala has endured globalization, extreme poverty and violence; which is why I can understand why so many are migrating away from this land. This young woman has a quetzal perched on top of her hand in order to express the need for liberation and family togetherness. The quetzal is a special bird because it cannot survive within captivity, therefore I feel that the migrant youth and mothers carry that [same] need to be liberated from these prisons and from oppressive forces in Central America. I wanted to condense Angie's quote to 'we are human, just like you' to remind North America that these brave souls are seeking opportunity to enhance the quality of life for their children." - Breena Nunez

"We need the help of all of you because we feel depressed and forgotten in this place" -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "I chose images of mothers holding children because I remember how it felt to be placed in I.C.E detention. All I wanted was the comfort of my mother and I think that the women are incredibly brave, strong and noble in those situations. [Even in detention] they are still fighting for the safety and well being of their children." -Fidencio Martinez

"When I got here they initially told me that I didn’t have a right to anything because of my deportations." -Inspired by this letter

Artist statement: "What inspires my drawing is the spirit and resiliency of our peoples, women and children in particular, who continue to live, resist and love each other despite the borders and prisons that tear apart our families and communities. I was moved by the strength of the mother in the letter, and mothers everywhere who continue to nurture life through their love. I wanted that to be reflected in the drawing with the mother and child close, embraced by the earth, flowers, butterflies, [and] ancestors. A reflection of what we are fighting for; our communities and families." -Francis Mead

"We are not a threat for this country, all I want is refuge in this country for my children and for me." -Inspired by this letter

Artist Statement: "I wanted to create a simple composition that focuses on the strength, selflessness, hope and love of a mother who is enduring tortuous conditions because of a lack of a piece of paper. I covered the mother's eyes with a phrase from her letter 'Me siento frustrada, desesperada, y preocupada (I feel frustrated, desperate and worried)' exposing what lies within the struggling mother, that and a Broken Heart drawing illustrated by the very mother whose letter I received. Not only does it express how she feels physically and psychologically. but I felt that my illustration for this project wouldn't be legitimate until some sort of (indirect) expressive collaboration with Sonia (the mother) took place." -Mata Ruda