“Be Gay, Do Crime!” Pride Photoshoot Feat. Queer, Trans Joy
This year alone, 560 anti-trans bills have been introduced and 84 have already passed. With growing transphobia and homophobia seeping into every part of our community, it’s more important than ever that we are visible and that we fight back. “Be Gay, Do Crime” is just as relevant as it ever has been. Simply existing is an act of resistance and I hope that we’ll eventually triumph together.
This year’s annual Pride project focuses on our trans, non-binary, and gender fluid siblings. Those of us who live outside the binary know what it’s like to be hyper visible and to face unique situations of discrimination. We’re often fighting for our identities to be respected from the inside and out. But it hasn’t stopped us from living the best versions of our lives and carving our own unique paths. Queer joy exists in spite of all of the rocks they throw at us. We love who we are and we’re proud of the community and family we have created.
With this photoshoot, I originally envisioned something more “family friendly.” The LGBTQ+ community is just always expected to be the perfect representation of what it is to be queer. But being queer is more than just rainbows and “Love, Simon.” It’s raw, it’s real, it’s not always PG. Just like heteronormative culture.
So when my models decided to go for it, I couldn’t say no. It’s a privilege to help them feel seen and affirmed. We’re allowed to create our own safe spaces where we control the narrative and can create the art we’ve always wanted to see.
Trans adults are less than 1% of the population and I’m honored to have worked with such amazingly magical individuals to create something that will hopefully inspire others to live in their truth. For many queer people, they aren’t sure what their future could look like. But, we’re here to tell you, it can literally be anything. You can be anything. Even if they say you can’t.
This Pride has been so special to me and my own journey and I hope that everyone gets to experience the same queer joy that I’ve been able to witness and cultivate.
Stay gay!
Jas (they/them)
