What is the project about?

This project was started at the beginning of 2022 as a way to bring visibility and awareness to transgender people of all forms. Transgender can be mistakenly thought of as a binary concept in which a person has to transition from one binary gender to the other, aka male to female or female to male. Stigmas surrounding the community have pushed a belief that a transgender person is only valid if they transition fully with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender confirming surgeries. While some transgender people transition in this way, I am seeking to bring to light that transgender is an umbrella that covers an array of identities; and that each is unique, beautiful and fully valid. My goal is to illustrate that the only true way to transition is the way that is best for each individual person. Participants in this project have been photographed as they are, showing the world that they are completely valid in their unique and diverse transgender identity and presentation. All participants have contributed their personalities, their identities, their compassion, and their desire to see a world that truly accepts and loves them for the beautiful humans that they are.

How can I become involved?

If you are a transgender individual and would like to participate in the portrait galley, simply message NV either on social media or here on the website.

Participation is complete free!

We will meet up and capture a photographed portrait of you, as you feel most euphoric.

If you are in or near Columbus, OH, I have a home studio that we can use to capture your portrait. If you are in another state, I will host open portrait days when I travel with the exhibition.

 The gallery will continue on across the country and will continue to capture more and more individuals.

Tax deducible Sponsorship opportunities are available through our fiscal sponsor, Franklinton Arts District

If you are an organization that would like to get involved or would like to learn more, please contact Mx. Vincent-Natasha Gay by email at photography@vincent-natasha.com. You can also follow along via Instagram at @nv.gay and @mx.gay_photography

Learn more here!

What is Transgender?

Transgender is an adjective used to describe a person whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth.

Traditionally, the thought was that to transition, a person must undergo hormonal, surgical, and societal changes in order to conform to the societal “gender norms.”

Now; there’s no set formula for a transition. Some transgender children and adults are happy to express their gender identity without any medical steps, while others want to change their anatomy to match how they feel and how they want others to view them.

“The correct way to transition is the way that is best for you.” - NV Gay

Christianity and Transgender

Christianity and other religions have not been traditional allies to the Transgender community. This must be changed!

The church has earned a reputation for being anti-LGBTQIA+. In some cases, the church has been openly hostile to LGBTQIA+ people, treating them like outcasts rather than siblings and children of God. In other cases, the church has remained silent rather than follow the example of Jesus.  As a result, LGBTQIA+, straight, and cisgender Christians have left the church or have given up on their faith because they feel unsafe, unable to engage sincere questions, and unwelcome from communities where they can authentically grow in their faith.

The church can do better.
WE can do better.
WE MUST DO BETTER.

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