Site-Specific Single-Channel High-Definition Video with Sound, 23 Minutes, 2011

Beware the Lily Law is a site-specific video installation at Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA.

The piece uses the 1969 Stonewall riots as a starting point to address issues facing gay and transgender inmates. The riots began after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Police arrested men dressed as women and transgender patrons.

Many of the patrons resisted the police raid, and the following day thousands of people marched in the streets, speaking out about unfair treatment under the law. It was the start of the modern gay rights movement.

Today, transgender female prisoners are incarcerated in male prisons, and transgender male prisoners (female to male) are incarcerated in female prisons.

They are often placed in “protective” or “administrative” custody. The resulting confinement, while purported to be safer for the inmates, is effectively a form of solitary confinement.

Handelman has developed these monologues based on the experiences of real inmates and in collaboration with the performers Becca Blackwell and Michael Lynch.

Director/Editor: Michelle Handelman

Performers: Becca Blackwell and Michael Lynch

Cinematography: Edward David; Still Photography: Laure Leber

Sound Design: Vincent Baker

Sound Engineer: Dan Bora

Production Research and Assistance: Nadja Vareena Marcin

Production Intern: Joana Fittipaldi

“Spare Change for a Dying Queen” by Jimmy Camicia