The queer movement of the 21st century is alive and well. For one to recognize that, all you have to do is open your eyes. From televisions shows such as “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” to the popularity of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the culture is growing rapidly in the media.

It thrives in large cities on the West Coast as well as in the South on the East Coast. But what is “queer”?

It isn’t a derogatory term any longer, as many in the LBGTQ community use it to describe themselves or their group. Enter stage right — team members Alekander Babic ’07, Nechelle and Anna Grey of the queer-transgendered collective — the Omni Proje[q]t.

Founded in October 2010, the Omni Proje[q]t is a staff that is completely “queer-based,” according to Babic. The team consists of eight core queer and transgendered members and a street team, but welcomes anyone that identifies with the community.

“Our staff is basically a very eclectic mix of races, ideas and diversity, from graduate students to staff members with no college education at all,” said Babic. “We welcomed all that desired to be part of the group.”

The Street Team performs the advertising, public relations, and promotion for the group’s launch parties in the streets.

“The Street Team are the ones that grind for us and promote our group and launch parties,” said Babic. “We would be lost without them.”

The group’s first project was the Queer Women’s Calendar. After countless hours of work, research, and photography, they produced a 14-month spread that was completed in one and one-half months and launched in December 2010.

“We wanted the calendar to be a melting-pot of ideas from high fashion to everyday couples shown in their home element,” Grey said. “We worked to produce three shoots every weekend to get it done.”

With a focus on the Triad, the Proje[q]t recruited local LBGTQ models. The group felt this calendar would be a unique outlet to empower the models and community members who often don’t see themselves represented in the media.

“People were very surprised by the calendar, and word spread fast throughout the community,” Babic said.

Next on the agenda for the group is the “Enacting Queerness” art show. The show will focus on three different types of submissions: performance-based art, painting and photography installations, and film submissions.

All submissions must pertain to the theme of “Enacting Queerness.” The deadline for digital image submissions is May 15, 2011, with final selections being made and announced by May 26, 2011.

“Our aim is to have the art show on the first Friday of June, 2011, in downtown Greensboro,” said Babic. “We want to be a part of the thriving First Friday celebration that downtown is known for. Our staff will thrive in that environment.”

Accountability, efficiency, and vision are the pistons that keep the motor of the Omni Proje[q]t running and steadily getting stronger.

“Our entire group always works in tandem so there is accountability to all,” said Babic. “Some of the staff has particular strengths that others do not, so it is best to allow each member to work at what they do best, partnered with another. From collecting donation funds, recruiting, planning and launch parties, we all work as one.”

Circle June 3, 2011, on your calendars and go out and support this collective. They are setting the standard for the community as a whole as they carry the cornerstone of diversity as a beacon of their work.

“Our desire is to bring about a certain awareness to the community to show that queer artists are comfortable expressing their art,” Nechelle said. “We hope to inspire many people to do the same.”