Organised by Scottish-Canadian writer/photographer Sandra Alland, b)other looks at the intersection between LGBTI experiences and disability. It is accompanied by a zine, A Spot of b)other, which can now be found in LGBTI and arts venues around the city. (Reviewed in The Skinny.)

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Jennie Kermode is a Glasgow-based author, journalist and creative artist, and is Media Relations officer at Trans Media Watch.
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Wednesday the 25th of November saw the launch of a new exhibition as part of the sh[OUT] project in Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art.

Yet this celebration of the work of artists facing multiple challenges has been marred by a series of problems which suggest mismanagement or even prejudice at the top of the organisations that commissioned it. The project initially ran into difficulties when contributors with mobility impairments found that they were unable to get reliable access to the spaces in which they were supposed to work.

As one of those contributors, I made a formal complaint, to which I have still not received a response, though new workspace was arranged in the excellent Trongate 103. A few lapses in communication would be understandable in a busy venue like the GOMA, yet these problems persisted, and even when attending the launch event the contributing artists were told that, for health and safety reasons, no more than two of them (or their mobility impaired guests) could view the work at one time.

On the day of the launch itself, a sign was suddenly added to the zine display, labelling it explicit. "There's simply nothing explicit in there," said Alland. "There's a single instance of strong language, but people seeing this label will think it means something sexual. This is in a historical context where transgender, queer and disabled sexuality has often been labelled pornographic, so it's really problematic."

Alland made numerous attempts to contact senior management about the sticker but, even at the opening itself, nobody was willing to discuss it with her. It later transpired that a GOMA official had emailed her to advise that it was standard policy "for any art content that may include swearing or similar," but subsequent research has revealed that this is not the case. No further comment has been forthcoming.

"My group has been treated throughout like children," said Alland, who was also among those offended by patronising introductory speeches at the launch. The group includes a number of established professional artists including photographer Stuart Crawford and visual artist Kristiane Taylor. Venues in other cities have already expressed interest in the work and a tour is being considered.

The problems with b)other come in the wake of a slew of difficulties experienced by artists contributing to sh[OUT]. Internationally acclaimed sculptor and video artist Dani Marti was forced to withdraw his work after being told that it could not be shown in its complete form, despite previous assurances. Although a Bible-based exhibit was placed behind glass after protests, the gallery's comments book has remained open throughout the exhibition, with no attempt made to remove the homophobic and transphobic abuse scrawled on its pages.

Thanks in large part to the massive success of the Glasgay! festival, Glasgow has gained a reputation as a positive supporter of LGBT art.

These recent events threaten to jeopardise that reputation and force artists to ask how genuine the city's commitment is.