Tag Archives: Photos

This Touching Photo Series Shares Captures People’s Personal Stories Of Coming Out

Alejandro Ibarra photography project pairs photos of LGBTQ individuals with their personal stories of coming out.

Ibarra says he was inspired to start the series after a friend told him how he came out to his family.

Even though [my friend’s coming out experience] was very different from mine, I really related to it: to him, his emotions, his concerns. It was almost like it had happened to me. I knew then that it would have the same effect on pretty much most of the community because, whatever you happen to identify as ― this is one thing we all have in common.”

Ibarra says that no matter how someone identifies or what their experience was like, “coming out” is a universal rite of passage that all LGBTQ people who open up about their sexuality or gender identity share.

Talking to HuffPost Ibarra explained that no matter how someone identifies or what their experience was like, “coming out” is a universal rite of passage that all LGBTQ people who open up about their sexuality or gender identity share.

Even though [my friend’s coming out experience] was very different from mine, I really related to it: to him, his emotions, his concerns. It was almost like it had happened to me. I knew then that it would have the same effect on pretty much most of the community because, whatever you happen to identify as ― this is one thing we all have in common.”

As a creative pursuit, Ibarra wants Coming Out Stories to be both a testament of the power of storytelling and also perhaps a way to relieve some anxiety for LGBTQ people that may still be in the closet.

Check out more of the Coming Out Stories project below and head to Ibarra’s website to see more of his work.

Poignant Series Of Portraits Show What It Means To Be Young And Gay In China

Italian photographer Teo Butturini has captured images of young LGBTQ people living in Beijing in the places that are important to them as part of his latest project, which attempts to tackle stigma in China.

Homosexuality was deemed both a criminal offence and a mental illness in China as recently as two decades ago, and enormous stigma remains with many Chinese psychologists believe homosexuality can be “treated” and offer programmes to “turn youths back to heterosexuality”.

Thirty years of single-child policy created an even more difficult situation for LGBTQ people. In a country where the young are expected to provide for their parents and having a son is considered a must, parents often cannot accept that their child is gay, even if they can accept the general idea of homosexuality.

Many young LGBTQ people move from their own villages to big cities, in order to escape ostracism – often those who remain hide their sexuality or are forced into marriages by their parents. Recently the Chinese government issued a document forbidding the airing and publishing of any content related to violence, drug and alcohol abuse, adultery, smoking, reincarnation, homosexuality and any form of behaviour that “exaggerates the dark side of society”.

New ‘Orange is the New Black’ Photos Show New Character and More [SPOILERS]

This post contains Orange is the New Black spoilers.

Are you excited, because we are? Today Netflix released new stills from the upcoming fourth season of Orange is the New Black, which premieres on Netflix June 17.

According to Netflix, the new season…

… delves into the racial and economic tensions that run rampant in the halls of Litchfield. Overrun with new inmates and overseen by inexperienced guards, the prison undergoes an unprecedented culture war.”

Pirelli’s 2016 Calendar Signals A Significant Cultural Shift

The Pirelli calendar has long been known for its provocative images of some of the world’s top models.

But for its 2016 edition, it has taken a new direction – swapping sex for power with a series of black and white portraits of high-profile professional women taken by Annie Leibovitz.

Artist Yoko Ono, musician Patti Smith, author Fran Lebowitz, blogger Tavi Gevinson and model and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova are featured in the calendar – which is being hailed as a “bold step” that proves women are being “celebrated for their achievements” and not just their looks.

Nudity is kept to a minimum, with only tennis star Serena Williams and comedian Amy Schumer appearing in underwear.

Leibovitz, one of only a handful of women photographers to work on the calendar in its 51 years, said:

It is a departure. I started to think about the roles women play, women who have achieved something. I thought the women should look strong but natural.”

Jennifer Zimmerman, the global chief strategy officer for the McGarryBowen advertising agency, explained

We are in the midst of a perfect storm of cultural icons and politics and Hollywood. Between the first credible woman presidential candidate, all the powerful female characters on television from ‘Supergirl’ to ‘Madam Secretary’ to ‘Scandal,’ the pressure for parity in pay, it is impossible to ignore the empowerment of women. Besides, who uses a calendar anymore? It has to stand for something else.”

Stunning Pictures Of What It Looks Like To Be A Transgender Teen America

With the transgender conversation taking center stage in American culture, Mashable set out to talk to real teens to see what their lives are really like in 2015. We asked them to talk to their future selves 10 years from now. Their responses are honest, sometimes fearful but always hopeful.

A study by the Youth Suicide Prevention Program found that more than 50% of transgender teens have attempted suicide by their 20th birthday.
The transgender homelessness population is massive, too.

Among the documented 1.6 million homeless youth across America, 40% are transgender, according to a study reported by Trans Equality. Of that population, 90% reported they left their households because of harassment, bullying and family rejection, found a True Colors Fund study. In the same report, another 75% reported physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Read the full story about these brave transgender teenagers on Mashable.

People call me a “transtrender.” It’s people who pretend to be trans to be popular. It’s because of what I look like and how I’m not taking hormones for my transition, but there are plenty of transgender people who don’t want to go through that process. I like how I look, I really do. It’s up to other people to change their perception of me rather than for me to change myself to fit what their perception is. I wear dresses sometimes, but that doesn’t make me less of a man. I definitely have a feminine side. I enjoy having my makeup done and can still look pretty and be a man.”

Mashable | Transgender Teens | Photo by Bryan Derballa

Portraits Show What Life Is Like as a Lesbian Couple in Russia

Right now, it’s incredibly difficult to be an LGBT person who lives in Russia. In June 2013, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin signed the ‘Russian LGBT propaganda’ policy into law “for the Purpose of Protecting Children from Information Advocating for a Denial of Traditional Family Values”.

However, despite this description, it meant that LGBT people would be able to do things like hosting Pride parades or just being open about their sexuality or gender identity in general. And it’s true that being LGBT isn’t illegal in Russia but with laws like this that limit LGBT expression, it may as well be.

Also read: Punished For A Kiss | Russian Police Raid Lesbian Nightclub Owned By The Woman Who Kissed Her Girlfriend In Selfie

But Russia wasn’t always like this as although it has never been the most progressive place on the planet, couples like Natasha and her partner Lyudmila were just getting by.

They live in Saint Petersburg and do normal things that couples do; they spend time with family and friends, look after their two children (Lyudmila’s, from a previous relationship), they break up, they make up and they live. And this is what photographer Misha Friedman wanted to capture when met them in 2011.

Friedman explains that the capturing of photos happened naturally and that he would spend a few days with them or an entire week at a time, developing a connection with them – after all, he has to spend a lot of time in their personal space to take these. The photos he took (between 2012 and 2014) were to be compiled into a recently published book called Natasha and Lyudmila – Russian Lives, and they are of various formats and colours according to what camera Friedman used across the two years.

Although the photographer explains that “the story happened [in Russia] he explains that “it would be the same here [in the US].” He also states that as the two women are “part of [his] life” and that these photos are “just a start.” We could see more photos then, which will hopefully shed more light on the positive side of the Russian LGBT community and not just the laws that oppress them.

Rethinking Female Beauty – ‘I Heart Girl’ is a Breathtaking Exploration of Women’s Femininity

Take a look at the new portfolio of work by New York photographer Jessica Yatrofsky – I Heart Girl, which is a breathtaking exploration of women’s femininity.

“I’ve always been drawn to depicting the body. I think it’s very important to make images that represent a facet that reflects the current cultural landscape, which is why both [‘I Heart Boy’ and ‘I Heart Girl’] highlight gender identification.”

Jessica Yatrofsky

Talking to i-D, Yatrofsky said that while some of her subjects are unclothed, all of them project a vulnerability that is important to understanding how they present their gender and sexual identities.

“It’s an impossible task to de-sexualize women. I think sexual identity is important for the self and I care about celebrating and honouring what resonates with how each subject chooses to express herself.”

Jessica Yatrofsky

The I Heart Girl monograph, a follow-up to Yatrofsky’s successful 2011 book I Heart Boy, will be released this summer. The book of portraits shows the huge breadth of people that identify as feminine, urging the viewer to rethink female beauty.

Project Unbreakable is Striving to Increase Awareness of Domestic Violence – #Unbreakable

Project Unbreakable is a photography project aiming to give a voice to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Since its conception in October of 2011 by then 19 year old Grace Brown, Project Unbreakable has featured over fourth thousand photographs, both photos taken by Grace and submissions from all over the world. The photographs are of survivors holding posters with quotes from their abusers.

Originally, Project Unbreakable was supposed to stay small – the main intention was to simple create awareness – but soon it was discovered that it provides a way of healing for violences survivors.

“We want to be able to help as many people as possible. In light of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), we have opened Project Unbreakable up to include survivors of domestic violence.
Below are a few poignant examples of survivors quoting their attackers”

Grace Brown

Since the conception, Project Unbreakable has featured over fourth thousand photographs, both photos taken by Grace and submissions from all over the world.

Below are a few poignant examples of survivors quoting their attackers.

Brilliant food artworks

Familiar, everyday objects re-appropriated for no reason other than to cheer, courtesy of artist Dan Cretu. From a camera made of cucumber to a cassette containing salami tape, we hope these brilliantly simple, aesthetically pleasing imaginings help to get your week off to the best of starts… #happyfriday, #kitschmix

Angry pussy… Well, actually I prefer a smiling pussy; slightly amused… quizzical?!

Do you feel like that your pussy lacks emotions, well redditor dri_ve has found a solution. Sticky notes! We absolutely adore these.

Take a look at some more pussy magic – http://www.pinterest.com/KitschMix/pampered-pets/

Slightly an@l – then you’ll enjoy this

The chaos of the week can be a little too much for some, so to this weekend escape sanctuary in admiring these immaculate images of Things Organised Neatly. Taken from the tumblr created by ‘cyberflaneur’ Austin Radcliffe… #happyfriday, #kitschmix, #neat

Dogs on Tables

Celebrating canine cuteness in the form of dogs on tables, courtesy of the eponymous Instagram feed. A simple concept 1) place tog on table, 2) capture the moment with your camera, 3) sending it to @dogsontables for their approval… #happyfriday, #kitschmix, #dogsontables

Exhibition by David Bailey

Recommended this February is a trip to the National Portrait Gallery where you can see the largest exhibition of portraits by David Bailey, including iconic images of The Rolling Stones, Jean Shrimpton and The Beatles.

Visit – http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/bailey/exhibition.php

Finger People: all you need is a hand, a pen and a prop or two

Sometimes the simplest things provide the most pleasure: a selection of brilliantly funny finger people. Created from nothing more than a hand, a pen and a prop or two, these fingers have danced, hugged and beamed their way into our hearts… #happyfriday, #kitschmix