In the first step of mapping exercise (identifying issues based on our chosen issue) our group found it fairly straightforward with identifying all issues and ideas related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex and Queer/Questioning. At first we noticed a lot of broad terms thrown around everywhere on the paper. In order to build up on the complexity of our issue we decided to refine our map by categorizing them into significant areas that made LGBTIQ issue aware. They include; Media, Organization, Demographic, and Government. After refining the map I noticed that many of these stakeholders were interwoven together some way or another. The issue that was raised during mapping session was that we had to consider the environmental and the cultural impact of the significant LGBTIQ on top of the stakeholder’s involvement. This consideration added second layer of complexity to LGBTIQ issue and allowing us to understand that there was a bigger intertwined picture to this issue. Through this exercise we realised how each stakeholders can affect each other and that it can impact the way it can be perceived and identified.
Image Archive
This is a photograph of a Gay Jordanian boy. He comes from a extremely culture orientated family that strongly disses and hates minorities, including homosexuals like himself. His mother in particular insists that he is an ill boy and that there is something wrong with him because he is gay. The bandaged face represents a notion of being perceived as a sick person in the eyes of the public and it shows signs of disgust and hatred. The fact that the image is taken as a direct portrait shot with lack of facial features showing accentuates a strong sense of insecurity and agony living in a place where homosexuals are not welcome.
This is a photograph of, a proud gay public figure Connor Franta. The image was specifically taken for #DayofSilence which was to promote safe schools and space for everyone in the community. The idea of ‘silence’ written on his wrist and covering his mouth sends a clear message that LGBT youth are being silenced in our community. According to the GLSEN.org 9 out of 10 LGBT youth report of being verbally or/and physically bullied in their school. The pink carnation held in hand by Connor communicates a gesture of gratitude towards victimized LGBT youth. The intention behind this image stands strong and clear on sending a powerful sentimental message
This is an image of a Japanese girl walking into a disabled toilet due to public’s rejection and negative output towards her sexual orientation. The idea of the girl walking into a dark disabled bathroom captures the notion of rejected or confused gender identity. In the sourced article of this image, the mother of the girl in this image gave her daughter a diagnosis of gender identity disorder (GID). The disorder is defined as “a desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex.” The result of her diagnosis lead her school to implementing disabled bathrooms accommodating for students with physical disability including her.
This is an image of a homeless child. According to the source the child has been left on their own due to their queerness/sexual orientation. The image gives verisimilitude to the LGBT youth issue. The torn clothes worn by the child indicates sense of violence that he or she might have experienced. Through this idea of violence (besides homelessness) represented in this photo, we can immediately link the idea of child abuse and discrimination as a result of being a minority member. Furthermore the curled up position of the child embodies loneliness and heartache towards the world they live in. This image portrays a powerful reason as to why LGBT youth are so afraid of coming out.
This is an image of Jean Yannick form Cape Town, covering his chest with his hands. You can see by the way his nails have been treated that he is not an average man if South Africa. This is a body picture of Jean who has been gang raped infront of his partner. That has been rejected and denied for reporting the attack he was in. And also whom the police have taken and locked up for 13 days for reporting the attack. ‘We can’t help someone like you because our culture doesn’t have gay people, and if those people come to kill you, we can’t do anything. If you want to be gay you should leave the country.’
This is a poster for Czech LGBT support organization Sbarvouven. The poster of a girl camouflaged to the background represents the idea of concealed identity in the LGBT community. This poster clearly emphasizes the idea of ‘hiding inside the closet’ through the visual expression. In the poster only her clothes have been edited to blend in with the background. This shows that she does not have the courage to stand up for herself to show her true self. Instead she is blending into the environment she lives in to avoid harassment and taunts that may be caused due to the way she is.
This is image is part of ‘I’m Not A Joke’ Artivism, art on human rights. This particular art campaign is raising awareness of the prejudice and discrimination against LGBTIQ community around the world. The visual representation of the male being anchored down by the globe ball and chain indicates the notion of suppressed identity expression. The floral print on the male’s body implies a natural beauty.
The image shows a reflection of what it appears to be a boy but in reality a girl. The chest strapped up girl looking own signifies the hardship and agony she is going through in order to transform her body into an image that she wants to be disguised as. The image depicts the notion of distressed transgender who cannot be entirely who they want to be until the process is completely done. Although this image represents a transgender youth’s struggle this hardship is applied to any transgender in our society.
This is an image of a mother trying to wash away the rainbow-bodied son in the bathtub. The image of the mother with the glove attempting to scrub off the son’s LGBT identity illustrates the notion of disbelief and rejection. It shows that the mother believes sexual orientation is removable and that it should not belong to her son. The boy on the other hand sits in the bathtub watching him being washed away when he clearly knows that it’s in fact part of who he is.
This is an image of a closer up body part with an imprint saying ‘I will not allow your semantics to hide my experience.’ The image explores the role of body as a tool for shaping society’s concept of gender and sexuality. The impression made on the body represents the notion of being emotionally, psychologically, and physically oppressed to society’s semantics. The body becomes the essential medium and tool in this image for visualizing the social metaphysics surrounding the concept of LGBTIQ.
Works Cited
Arzola, Daniel. “No Soy Tu Chiste.” 23 Januaray 2013. Tumblr. 18 August 2016 <http://nosoytuchiste.tumblr.com/post/136108552752/im-not-a-joke-no-soy-tu-chiste-is-artivism>.
Franta, Connor. “ConnorFrantaFans.” 15 April 2016. Facebook. 18 August 2016 <https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13002396_1057779877634336_2680180186774449929_o.jpg>.
Helenski, James. Jameszie. 2015. 20 August 2016 <http://www.jameshelenski.com/i-hear-your-words/>.
- Lester Feder, Nikki Tsukamoto Kininmonth. “BuzzFeed News.” 6 August 2016. BuzzFeed. 20 August 2016 <https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/transgender-in-japan?utm_term=.fhMB37qyWr#.muvG1B0QYR>.
Panos Pictures. “Where Love is Illegal.” Panos. 21 August 2016 <http://www.panos.co.uk/bin/panos2.dll/go?a=disp&t=gl-loader.html&_storyState=1&_tlid=2&groupid=13&galleryid=1797&glbid=2290&si=65B29A8FA0DE4901A54E666B978491&rnd=283.5.3>.
Pinterest. Pinterest. 18 August 2016 <https://au.pinterest.com/pin/350014202272873809/>.
sbarvouven.cz. “I am not.” Osocio. 17 August 2016 <http://osocio.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sbarvouven_lgbt2.jpg>.
“Stop Trying To Wash it Away.” 2016. Pinterest. 18 August 2016 <https://au.pinterest.com/pin/350014202272873786/>.
“The Veiled Truth.” 2016. Where Love is Illegal. 22 August 2016 <http://whereloveisillegal.com/the-veiled-truth/>.
- “No Home For the Holidays.” 24 December 2012. Mused Mag Online. 18 August 2016 <http://www.musedmagonline.com/2012/12/no-home-for-the-holidays/>.
By April Bae
Emergent Practices 
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