Be Brave be Bold:
When the time comes to open up and be honest about one’s sexuality, it can be one of the biggest battles, especially when it comes to relationships with family and friends. I want to express my admiration for my friends and family who have had the courage to come out and proudly say, “I am gay!”Be Brave, be Bold.
I personally came out when I was 14 years old, but I knew I was different as early as age 10. It was an arduous journey, and my mother had the additional struggle of having two gay children. Imagine that. Two out of three kids queer. Some individuals mistakenly believe that being queer is a choice, but let me emphasize that I never chose to be gay/queer. I never desired to face the abuse, the struggles, and the battles that often accompany this aspect of my identity.
Over the years, I have encountered hurtful comments and stories invoking Adam and Eve, being told that I haven’t found the right person, being condemned to hell, urged to change, dismissed as going through a phase, among other challenges. It begs the question: Why on earth would someone willingly choose to be queer and subject themselves to such attacks?
At 37 years old, I still have close friends and family members who are not accepting of their own queer children or grandchildren, despite claiming to be okay with queer people in general. I want to emphasize that being queer does not alter who we are as individuals. The world perceives us differently because some minds remain closed and fail to embrace our differences. Regardless of our sexual orientation, we were all created by a higher power, and we deserve respect and acceptance. We are here, and we stand united with strength.
That is why, as a Long Beach Gay Photographer, I am passionate about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Through my Los Angeles Gay Photography project, #LGTBQPRIDE, I aim to celebrate and capture the essence of LGBTQ+ pride. If you or someone you know identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer, I encourage you to share your story with me by emailing info@tiffaneyannphotography.com. Together, let’s celebrate and embrace the diversity and beauty of our community. Love and respect are keywords in this project as we empower one another to be authentic and courageous.
Me and my momma
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