"Something I've been thinking about a lot lately is having to create our own spaces because there is a lack or because we don't fit into these other institutions, even mainstream gay or lesbian institutions, and so some of my dreams right now are to open a queer arts space or queer art gallery where we can have workshops and resources and a space to show ourselves." JRV MAJESTY Productions recently sat down with author H. Melt to discuss their works as a poet and upcoming projects as well as how they use their work as a device to challenge the policy and behavior of systems and institutions. H. Melt is the author of SIRvival in the Second City: Transqueer Chicago Poems, a teaching artist with Young Chicago Authors and a writer for Original Plumbing. For more information on H. Melt's work please visit: http://www.hmelt.tumblr.com NOTE: Since this interview both SAIC and Lambda Literary have engaged in dialogue with H. Melt to cooperate in developing comprehensive solutions. This work is ongoing. This interview is part of the QUEER LEXICON oral history series that attempts to explore and document the lives of queer Chicago culture makers, innovators and luminaries. QUEER LEXICON is an original JRV MAJESTY Production. For more information or to support this project please contact us at [email protected] StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. storycorps.org/