MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Laura Marotta, Executive Diretor and Co-Founder of Creative Hub WorcesterSebastian Restrepo
Age: 37
Community: Worcester
Her Story: Laura Marotta is a Worcester-based artist and co-founder/ executive director of Creative Hub Worcester.
Creative Hub Worcester is an arts non-profit organization that aims “to provide equitable programs for creative expression in accessible spaces through after school programming, festivals, artist residencies, workshops and more.”
Marotta said she and her wife, Stacey Lord, co-founded the organization built on the strong belief that “art is a universal language,” and “self-expression a human right.”
“There are things in our society and in the way that we live that sometimes hinder our ability to express our true identities,” said Moratta.
“All forms of self expression is an art.”
Marotta is passionate about creating space for creativity for everyone.
She believes “self-expression allows us to find our identity, and share that with the world.”
Stacy Lord and Laura Marotta, of The Creative Hub Worcester at stART on the Street 2019 at Union Station, December 8, 2019. (Erika Chick photo)
She added Creative Hub Worcester is a space she and Lord created to encourage self-expression “because creativity is inherently vulnerable,” and “the ability to be out-and-proud seeps into everything we are and who we are as people.”
She said as an LGBTQ+ member, “it can be challenging to be accepted and to accept and express your true identity.”
“What we want to do is create that kind of space for that kind of community,” said Marotta. “We try to focus on LGBTQ+.”
Every Thursday, Creative Hub Worcester hosts a Queer Night for LGBTQ+ members to gather and work on a project of their own or use supplies within the Hub.
“It’s a safe place to express yourself in a a social space and meet others in the community,” said Marotta. “Their are obstacles and experience we face as a community that are unique and we need to have other folks who are able to understand what we are experiencing.”
In her words: “Always remember the true reasons behind what you do [and] never give up… It’s OK to have tough days, weeks, months. The process is just as important as the outcome. Embrace uncertainty.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
