Camp Magic: G. Francis
This photo was taken at a summer camp for trans youth, where everyone who went, including the camp leaders, was trans in some shape or form. Each night at the camp, they lit a fire and everyone sat around it together.
As can be seen in the picture, something was added to the fire which turned the flames a green-blue colour. They called this ‘Camp Magic’.
Around this fire, we shared our experiences and feelings and held space for each other in a world that often does not hold space for us. I felt that the Camp Magic was not simply in the colour of the fire, but in the nature of the camp and the people who attended it.
The Real Catwalk: Mia Violet
This is a photo from an event called The Real Catwalk, which was an event in Trafalgar Square in 2018 to celebrate all body types. I took part because I wanted there to be trans representation in the event, but also because I knew I needed to challenge myself over my own body image issues.
I brought the trans flag with me in case I felt confident enough to use it, but I was predicting that I’d feel too self-conscious to let it out of my bag. I didn’t know anybody there at all, and as much as I was looking forward to taking part, I also just wanted to get it over with.
However when I got there I immediately felt at home and part of the group. Everybody was welcoming and eager to share stories. After doing the first practice run without the flag, I decided to use it for the second and final run practice before we set off for the real thing. I still remember how exciting and surprising it was to hear how many people cheered when they saw me bring out the flag. By walking with it I felt like I was owning every part of my identity. I wasn’t trying to blend in, I was showing everybody (and myself) that I was proud to be me.
The Beginning: Vox Margo
This photo is from Portsmouth Pride on the 22nd June 2019. I didn’t know it at the time, but in many ways this was a key turning point in my journey into discovering myself.
At the time I thought I had already figured that out. I’d come out as pansexual in May 2018 after ending a not great relationship, stopped shaving, started exploring my style outside of the 1940’s fashion I’d been wearing for years, joined a dating app, had my first relationship with a woman, had a one year coming out party, and met “my first” openly vocal nonbinary person.
This photo was taken at the OmniArts GB stall where we were promoting the group that would become Queer Creatives. I had just performed on the stage, doing a 15 minute medley of my own creation, going from the 1940s to modern day with music, including 2 different costume reveals. I honestly thought I had “made it” in terms of self discovery, but looking back now, this was more like the beginning of the “explosion” of discovery.
Since this photo, I’ve realised that I’m nonbinary, a relationship anarchist, Autistic, and have ADHD. I’ve come to (mostly) fully accept my disabilities. I’ve changed my approach to teaching drastically (for the better) and found “my niche” for the people I want to be working with. I started therapy, have done a lot of figuring out of my unconscious biases, and cried a lot. I’ve experienced a lot of loss, from friendships breaking down, to the death of my dad. I have found my community with queer, neurodivergent, disabled, and grieving people. I’ve learnt so much about myself, dyed and shaved my hair, changed my name and pronouns, and become so much stronger in my convictions. I’ve been in the depths of autistic burnout, and have managed to claw my way to the start of getting out of it.
This photo represents the start of everything I am now.
Robbie Head: Ellie Snow
Robbie was a really good friend of my mums in Essex where they grew up. He was slightly younger than her, and quietly confident, which I think is something that is really, really special about him
He was just unashamedly gay and really cared about Queer rights and the progression of where that was going, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
This photo was taken, circa 1982 by my mum. It’s the only photo she has of him, and I quite like it because it kind of sums up his cheeky nature.
Robbie was an artist – he really loved to paint and draw – a little bit graphic but I think it’s funny – he once did a drawing of the Queen with 20 penises out of her mouth – this big, extravagant illustration that my mum can’t find but she really wants to.