I put together these fantasy stamps of queer icons for the SF Bay Guardian's queer issue.
See the online slideshow version here.
The Identity Project
I love the Identity Project. It's a simple concept: photographs of LGBTQ community members accompanied by a strip of text explaining how they define themselves. But its beautiful, honest black and white portraits pack a powerful punch.
I initially discovered the project on Instagram while Insta-stalking artist Lisa Congdon, who was photographed for the project. (She's the extraordinarily happy, tattooed wife in the layout below, bottom right.) I immediately fell in love with the project, and it's been a happy addition to my photo feed ever since.
When publisher Marke B. put out a call for suggestions for the SF Bay Guardian's Hot Pink List — our annual list of queers we adore — queer femme Sarah Deragon, the photographer behind the Identity Project, was at the top of my list.
But as fate would have it, Sarah missed her plane flight home, missing her Hot Pink List portrait session on the Friday before we went to press. We found a wonderful replacement, but we were all disappointed about not being able to promote the Identity Project in this year's Queer Issue. So when we were hit with a bunch of last-minute ads on Monday and decided to increase the issue's page count, I knew exactly how I wanted to fill that space: with the Identity Project.
With Sarah's permission, we repurposed her already-done Hot Pink List interview, and I collaged her Identity Project portraits (and their labels) together in a layout I had been looking for an excuse to try. And I love how it turned out!
All photos by Sarah Deragon for the Identity Project
See the online version here.