Film Self Portraits in Paris
Here is a collection of my self-portraits in Paris, May 2022.
"It's not pro life, it's pro control"
There were so many signs at the abortion rights rally downtown recently that impacted me. The energy that was in that space, fighting for ourselves, fighting for other women, fighting for those with a uterus, felt contagious. This energy was angry; it was brave; it was courageous; it was communal. I shot these images on my KS Super II, with New Classic EZ400 film. Black and white film at rallies and marches and protests just feels right. There’s so much history there.
As someone who grew up Christian, I identified as pro-life until I got into my 20’s. But that identity wasn’t necessarily mine. It was the viewpoint of my religion. It was taught to me in a way that made my heart ache. It was a political agenda.
I see that so clearly now with where I am in life. These bans on abortion do not honor life in the slightest. What about those that are living in poverty, in a racist and homophobic culture? What about the rights of those with uteruses that are violated when they are raped? What about the rights of humans to medically accurate sex education and pregnancy prevention education? But by all means, force someone to have a child and then abandon them the moment they give birth.
Vera
Today is the third anniversary of my grandma’s death. She supported me in so many ways, many of which I’m sure I never even realized. I think about her often. I am thankful she died before COVID. I can’t imagine the extra stress that would add to her life and ours, not being able to visit her and worrying about her being lonely and isolated. I wish I could show her all of the clothes I’ve made since I began sewing again in August 2020. I wonder what she would think about my queerness. I think she would be happy for me. I like to think she wouldn’t judge me or think it was wrong. She only ever wanted me to be happy.