Speaking Out: Queer Youth In Focus

Description

A photographic essay that explores a wide spectrum of experiences told from

the perspective of a diverse group of young people, ages 14–24, identifying

as queer (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning), Speaking

OUT: Queer Youth in Focus presents portraits without judgment or stereotype

by eliminating environmental influence with a stark white backdrop. This

backdrop acts as a blank canvas, where each subject’s personal thoughts are

handwritten onto the final photographic print. With more than 65 portraits

photographed over a period of 10 years, the book provides rare insight into

the passions, confusions, prejudices, joys, and sorrows felt by queer youth

and gives a voice to an underserved group of people that are seldom heard

and often silenced. The collaboration of image and first-person narrative

serves to provide an outlet, show support, create dialogue, and help those

who struggle.