Jake by Arthur Robinson Williams from My Right Self
My Right Self: Color Portraiture and Documentary Photography Exploring Issues of Gender and Identity
Transgender issues and rights are particularly relevant to contemporary questions of social justice and human rights as they inherently invoke conversations on sex, gender, sexuality, behavior, and sociopolitical hierarchies of power which affect all aspects of society. Sitting at the cusp of liberation and hostility, trans issues reveal more fundamental fault lines in American society that undermine minority rights and control of the body, especially with regard to women and children.
These images (and accompanying text) are meant to confront and dispel myths and misperceptions around marginalized and disenfranchised communities. The work is not meant to fall into stereotyped patterns of portrayal, however neither is it meant to be neutered. The images should give viewers permission to stare - as one cannot do kindly in public. However within their gaze, I hope viewers find something more akin to the familiarity of the Self rather than the fetish of the Other.
My Right Self will be on display at the Taubman Health Sciences Library (view on map) through November 10 and then will be moved to the Michigan Union (view on map) from November 14 to 20. For more information please contact thl-outreach@umich.edu.
Published in: Professional Development
Keywords: transgender social library lgbt identity gender exhibit