What Is Identity?
“Identity” is the title of my photo series that highlights Orlando locals within the LGBTQ+ community. The series is meant to be a celebration of pride and love, while putting the spotlight and a select few amazing individuals!
What is Identity About?
The concept surrounding the photo series “Identity” was developed to fight against negative assumptions that are placed on the queer community. When someone “comes out,” there is often this presumption that they are a complete different person. Suddenly, everything about that person screams GAY. And you know what, you can never overdo a celebration of your identity. But the problem that many others and I have, occurs when someone cannot see past that part of their identity.
We are still people. We all still have ambitions, goals, and plans for our future. We want to be coaches, bakers, athletes, celebrities, parents, or whatever else life has in store for us. We want to serve and uplift our community. We want to live freely without prejudice. We are whole people, not just queer people.
Why the white outfits?
White is universally used to symbolize purity, something untouched, or a clean slate. So often, the LGBTQ+ community isn’t associated with this description. And even worse, haters think of us as the complete opposite. Queer people are looked at as full of sin, predators, and shameful by those who lack understanding.
In conclusion, I wanted to keep it simple and give the community something different. The one piece of rainbow symbolizes how queer identity is only one part of a whole person.
What do you hope to accomplish with this photo series?
I hope that I will not only find pride in my own identity, but that others will feel the same. Furthermore, I wanted to meet some great people, highlight them and their journey, and do something special for pride month.
In addition, I hope that together we can raise some money for the onePulse Foundation through print sales! The tragedy that took 49 angels is still fresh and I know that we must continue to be #OrlandoStrong.
If you’d like to donate, please follow this link to purchase prints from the series or go directly to the onePulse Foundation.
Where can I find more?
I will be releasing a new set of photos every other day until the series concludes on my Instagram: @jaskproductions.
To support this project, and future queer art, you can PURCHASE PRINTS HERE!