2015 - 

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Attached Detached is a photographic and narrative series profiling LGBTQ+ individuals and couples worldwide, exploring their relationships, challenges, and connections to self, family, and community.

 

The project began in China, inspired by a local LGBTQ+ leader who highlighted the community’s social and legal struggles. Despite the absence of religious conservatism, cultural and familial pressures made openness difficult—only 5% were publicly out in key areas of life, according to a 2016 UNDP report. After moving to Miami later that year, the series expanded, influenced by the social climate and the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shootings. To date, 45 portraits have been created.

 

Aesthetically, Attached Detached focuses on abstract and partial portraiture, centering the face to deepen our understanding of identity. For anonymous participants, a self-selected color shield contrasts their black-and-white portraits. Framed in a neutral square, each composition resists traditional hierarchies, offering an unbiased perspective on the subjects.

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“My parents took me to conversion therapy where a gay man talked about how he was no longer gay and how he was very happy with his wife and kids living as a straight man. He said that if you read the scriptures and believed being gay was wrong, you could change…gay people in my hometown (Mississippi) couldn’t be themselves. Their society did not allow it…But Sean (my partner) reminds me that it’s ok to be you, and he lives this “ok” everyday of his life…Sean has made me feel more adult, confident and passionate about life.” - Hunter, USA

 

“When I was at my University library, I found a book, Queer Theories, written by Li Yinhe who was famous for her sexual agenda studies. After reading the book, I finally found the world I lived in because it introduced me to gender equality and diversity issues.  

 

My interest in this topic translates into what I do today as Director of the Beijing LGBT Community Center. The center’s vision is that all citizens regardless of gender identity, expression and sexual orientation can experience equality…we’re working with the media to make sure that people know about the diversity within the community and not just group people together. For example, Jing Xin, a famous Chinese modern dancer is also a trans woman who had corrective surgery. And some people think all transgender women are like her. But many transgender people face tough lives and are ostracized from society…we need to continue to support them…If you are living in a closed society where a large rock blocks you from experiencing the rest of the world, I challenge you to climb over it so you can see a more beautiful, brighter and diverse world.” Iron, China

 

“Our wedding which was held in the UK was a big affair…It was beautiful. At no time did Eddy’s parents (who didn’t speak English) feel left out because many of our non-Chinese friends spoke fluent Mandarin…Every time my mother-in-law took a seat to take a break, another handsome blonde man wearing a kilt (Scotland is my heritage, and we held a ceilidh) engaged her in Chinese and brought her back onto the dance floor. That was the first time she danced in public. And the marriage helped to reinforce our union, especially to Eddy’s parents. We both plan to expand our family with children later on.” Jack, England