Seeing with Queer Eyes: LGBTQ Themes in Interfaith Photovoice Projects & Workshops
Queerness and related gender and sexuality topics show up all across our work. Here are a few glimpses into the photos and stories shared with us related to LGBTQ+ identity and queerness over the years.
"Since I realized I was trans, I knew that being rejected by my family was inevitable... It’s been tough coming to terms with holding on to religion in the face of my own family using it against me... Holding onto my religious beliefs has meant taking time to reflect on how my family interpretation of our shared religion doesn’t have to compromise who I am as a Christian or as a queer person. I don’t have to choose one or the other. I can just be me." — Lex, Grand Valley State University
"Holding hands with my love remains one of my safest, scary states. Her hand bound in mine like our hearts intertwine—what safety, assuredness. In this bubble, I am safe. Held. Known. Cherished. But beyond the boundaries of our love and a photos dimensions, the saftey of holding her hand can be wrapped in fear. Are we safe? To be seen as two women in love. Maybe we shouldn’t hold hands? And sometimes we don’t! Sometimes we desire safety of mind and body over the safety we feel in the bubble of our love. That remains one of the greatest tragedies: to find, at last, a love that is safe within out to walk in this world, concerned by those who may fear our love. Holding hands, then, is an act of faith: faith that both we and our world can hold each other in love. Faith that we will learn to hold each other in love better. May it be so that one day, in my love and yours, our only trepidation is that we will lose another's hand to hold." — Alysa, Wisconsin
"A painted stone left on the mailbox post for anyone to find. At the time, my then partner and I were not 'out' to our coworkers, and since E lived on-farm, we'd have to wait until we were around the corner to hold hands.right about where the mailboxes were. Finding the stone made me think that a neighbor had seen us and wanted us to know we're safe and can trust the 'hood to witness our Love." — KNS
"I was for many years on a prayer and study commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia about issues of sexuality and gender where one of our most challenging issues was the consecration of Gene Robinson as a bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Robinson was known publicly to be a gay man in a same-sex relationship. Bishop Robinson signed a 'Blessing' for me (and a graphic by Keith Haring is included; and the Kentucky Appalachian folk art men). Robinson was born in poverty in Kentucky with defects at birth and not expected to survive or to live a normal life. Dedicating his life work to God, in thanksgiving, would seem to many — throughout human history — to be a natural choice to make. Of course, I am making some puns about what is 'natural' and what is 'normal' since LGBTQ people have often been stereotyped as 'not normal' and 'unnatural.' You might have a different opinion." — Edward, Virginia
"As a queer person, it’s sometimes tough to find religious spaces that feel like they actually accommodate us for all parts of who we are. Finding a church community often means grappling with significant trauma and pain caused by such groups... For those who are considering coming back to a religious space, this pamphlet was just one of the resources for finding local churches and organizations whose doors are open to those of us who have been shut out elsewhere." — Lex, Grand Valley State University
"If God is real, there is no way that God fits into any binary of what a man is. In my mind, if God is anything that humans can identify and label, God would be a queer figure..." — Sarah, Texas Christian University