Being Queer

By Erica Dischino

Often times, queer individuals must mask their sexuality in order to function
in the outside world. This piece explores the societal oppression that those a
part of the LGBTQ community often face. Whether its struggling with their
identity, relationships and how others perceive them, each image portrays a
specific common experience that reflects the everyday internal and external
thought process. These thoughts of whether to adhere to the pressures of a
heteronormative society or live their life openly can create emotional
conflictions. Such conflictions include feelings of isolation, not having a safe
place to express themselves, identity confusion but also wanting to live with
happiness and become their truest self. Each photograph is paired with a
quote from the queer literature we read throughout the semester. The quotes
highlight the emotion in the photograph and conceptualize each experience.
They were chosen specifically to emphasize certain characteristics that were
consistent throughout studying the queer community. This project aims to
shed light on those who are struggling in our heteronormative society and
express the idea that no one is alone.
In order to take these photographs I collaborated with a close friend of mine
who recently came out as bisexual. With that in mind, she became the subject
of this series. Through the collaboration, I was able to understand her
individual struggle and try to apply it to a larger issue at hand. The emotion
she expresses in the photographs, although they are illustrations and were
not taken candidly, is what she feels as struggles to accept her own identity. It
was moving to partake in a project that was a subject of great importance to
me but also so deeply personal. This project was not only for myself, but also
for my friend and all those who are struggling being queer.

All my favorite establishments were either overly crowded or pathetically empty. People
either sipped fine vintages in celebration or gulped intoxicants of who cares what kind,
drowning themselves in a lack of moderation, raising a glass to lower inhibitions, imbibing
spirits to raise their own.
The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

You can give each other something which will make both of you better forever if you
will not be ashamed, if you will only not play it safe."
Giovannis Room by James Baldwin

There is nothing within you that fights itself and hitherto you have had the
instinct to produce antagonism in others which stimulated you to attack.
The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein

Passion. Is there really no hope for humankind? I dont believe it. Passion, suffering, and more
suffering to bear. But you must be passionate to know how to live and find whats most
meaningful to you and know that there are those you really love. Then the pain will ease and
youll have no regrets.
Last Words From Montmartre by Qiu Miaojin

Just because you are not someones significant other, does not mean you are
insignificant.
Against Equality: Queer Revolution Not Mere Inclusion
Edited by Ryan Conrad

I can no longer suffer such abuse, especially at this point in my life. I have my
hands full.
Hold Tight Gently: Michael Callen, Essex Hemphill, and the Battlefield of AIDS by
Martin Duberman

I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the
man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair.
Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed.
The Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood

My dear boy, " Miss Frost said sharply. My dear boy, please don't put a label on me don't make a category before you get to know me!
In One Person by John Irving

The thing today is that authenticity is very important. But the more authentic you are, the
less you tend to live up to peoples expectations...When you share your struggles, you dont
live up to the image.
Does Jesus Really Me?: A Gay Christians Pilgrimage in Search of God in America by Jeff Chu