Difference is beautiful

 Being trans need not be about trauma but about celebration. My last posts have been about trans art and theatre shows taking place this summer. Here are some more. 

 

(1) Seahorse Parents

This is a beautiful photography show in Amsterdam celebrating transmen who are pregnant. A series of calm, fairytale shots underwater by Miriam Guttmann (nominative determinism at work?) 

The official site is here: Seahorse Parents (they don't seem to have a page in English) but there is a recent illustrated article about it here from the UK: Difference is beautiful. There's a trailer for Guttman's film here: Seahorse Parents trailer.

I have tried to make my own blog a celebration of trans positivity over many years so reading this from Alex, one of the transmen involved, was uplifting: "I feel like far too often projects involving queer and trans people revolve around trauma. This project is all about celebrating and embracing our transness, our bodies, and our babies." 

The idea of a man carrying a baby can still seem strange to most people. After seeing this, though, it seems beautiful, right and normal.

 

(2) Mona

An exhibition by photographer Dominique Pasquet with accompanying book that presents six series of photos of LBGTQI+ people and so illustrates aspects of life in 21st Century France, from trans and same-sex families who are having babies to transitioners (and lovers of body art) who transform their bodies. The portraits are left to speak for themselves but the book's independent texts are provided by 30 well-known writers and journalists who are given a free hand to express their thoughts. 

"She could be called Mona" cover, published by Lelivredart

 

I haven't bought this yet but will let you know my own feelings about it in due course.

 

(3) Amsterdam Rainbow Dress

"The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a living work of art, made of all the national flags from countries where being LGBTIQ+ is illegal, on penalty of imprisonment, torture or capital punishment. When a country adopts LGBTIQ+ inclusive legislation, the respective flag shall be replaced with a rainbow flag." 

Here's their website: Amsterdam Rainbow Dress

The dress has been modelled in cities all over world. One day, we hope, it will made entirely of rainbow flags.

San Francisco City Hall - Ashlyn Danielsen and Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation 2017 (c) Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation

 

Health update

I'm not ill that often but this last week has not been easy thanks to this bronchitis. I feel quite a lot better today, though, and hope the remaining cough and other symptoms will be gone completely soon.

Blog 

My next post will be my annual anniversary post. This blog has been live for 12 years now and I will be making a few additions.

Enjoy the summer.

Sue x