Through compelling photography and personal narratives, we're creating historical documentation of our diverse lives and stories that is beautiful enough to form an online community, hang on gallery walls, and eventually become a fixture on the coffee tables of LGBTQ+ friendly homes worldwide. It etches "We're Here, We're Queer And We Won't Disappear!" one layer deeper into history. 
The artist works collaboratively with subjects to find captivating versions of their life stories and tell them in their own words (with editorial assistance available if desired). Select stories will be paired with portraits created as a collaboration between the artist and the subject.

This project seeks to capture the largest possible spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences — both joyful and difficult. Some of us have thrived since birth, some of us are still struggling to hold on, but every story of queer survival is one worth celebrating. An authentic and broadly ranging documentation of the queer existence is a key focus in the story selection process. It's worth noting that the project will be sharing stories across multiple channels, so even if your story isn't selected to be published in print, it may be beneficial to the project and to others in the form of a social media post, or as some other community building asset and is greatly appreciated.

If you're interested in participating, use the scheduling tool below to book a one-on-one video call to discuss your story. Some stories will be selected to be turned into written form, and some of those subjects will be invited to be join the artist for a collaborative portrait to pair with the story. (Subjects will retain approval rights.) 

I've been terrified my entire life... I've always been scared I'd be seen. I thought flying under the radar kept me safe. I was taught at a young age that people like me don't exist (but if they did, they'd be an 'abomination'). That we'd not only be excluded from the kingdom of heaven and banished to the most excruciating version of torture imaginable for all eternity... but we'd also have to come to terms with the fact that, while on earth, we contribute to the devil's agenda of corrupting and destroying us all.

Unfortunately, I started believing that message so deeply as a child that I'm still working to unlearn it today. And after all of this unlearning, I'm still terrified. I'm seeing the hate I was taught as a child echoed from one of the world's most influential platforms. Maybe being scared is a part of being queer... but also, maybe part of being queer is fighting back.

I wish I'd done a better job of fighting back before, but now I'm ready, and I might actually be delusional enough to think that something I help bring to life could contribute to the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community in a small way... so I'm going to give it all I've got. Thanks for fighting with me!"

    - Caleb