Queer Latinx Migrating Down Under
Capturing humans navigating layers of identities, hopes and dreams
Some of the streams of people migrating to Australia are flowing from Latin American and Hispanic backgrounds. And within that community there’s a minority; the LGBTIQ+ people.
Exploring through photography the layers of identity and intersectionalities will be a central feature, not only dealing with aspects of the queer experience, but how they intersect with their ethnic identities and lives as immigrants.
The photographic project aims to allow the subjects not only to present themselves, but to represent their own experience on how they have to come to their new reality as migrants.
The photography will also explore the formal and conceptual properties of the medium beyond their existing boundaries.
Concepts and guidelines:
- Co-creating
LGBTIQ+ Latinx people are generally the subjects that are photographed; they are shown from somebody’s perspective, but not theirs own. Narratives about what is normally accepted as a gender identity and sexuality are usually dictated by media and social stereotypes.
When focusing on LGBTIQ+ Latinx images, usually these populations are presented with dehumanizing visual patterns and stereotypes that are embedded in the creation of images. These images usually are born and defined by a context of power from:
- what is acceptable from society;
- their own culture;
- their sexual practices;
- their body image etc…
The dominant media narrative has a power, and it shows us photographs of LGBTIQ+ Latinx people with sombreros and muscular fit, tanned, semi naked bodies on a tropical beach or a masculine individual on a thigh matador dress. While Lesbians, Transgender and Bisexuals are mostly ignored. Giving the opportunity to their own subjects to tell their story together with the photographer input is all about inclusion and storytelling.
Participatory photography projects aim to transform the dynamic power between photographer and subject and blur the boundaries between narrator, author and protagonist. In the best case it is a co-creation process.
- Representation
Making sure cover as many of the spectrums and layers of Latin American and Hispanic LGBTIQ+ people living in Australia. Realistic expectations are key for a successful photo that captures all these intersectionalities “An image has powerâ€.
Some of the layers we want to capture include:
- Age
- Language
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Country of origin
- Religion
- Occupation
- Ethnicity
- Disability
Objectives and intentions:
- The objective of the photography exhibition project is to acknowledge, record and share the stories of Latin Americans and Hispanics LGBTIQ+ in Australia.
- To provide a space for Latin Americans and Hispanics LGBTIQ+ in Australia to express their self through photography art.
- To share with the general Australia community the stories of Latin Americans and Hispanics LGBTIQ+ in Australia educating about cultural biases and stereotypes within this community.
Photographer: Arun Muñoz
Instagram: @Arunmunoz https://instagram.com/arunmunoz