Gender and Sexuality Photo Essay

Gender and sexuality are becoming thriving topics of conversation in today's youth. Many are trying to find their "voice" and place in society where they stand, and see sexuality as a major factor in such things. As such, many Gay-Straight Alliance groups (GSAs) are rising up in schools all across the continent.

  

GSAs promote the learning of gender and sexuality in a safe and judgement-free zone. The GSA at Geraldton Composite High School (GCHS) is spear-headed by the students, even though teachers are a part of the group as well. To promote the virtue of healthy learning, the group holds its meetings in the library, claiming that the room does not give off the same pressuring vibe as a classroom, and lets the members be who they want to be.

The GSA at GCHS did not truly take a liking to the name Gay-Straight Alliance, as they felt it left out other groups of the LGBTQ community. Pictured is a member of the group taking down group names that were being thrown around the library, creating a list of names that would be voted on later.

When it came to start voting, three names were chosen. Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (aka SAGA), No Labels, and Diversity Acceptance Alliance (aka DAA) were the top three names chosen for the vote. Ultimately the group stuck with SAGA. Note that also on the board is fundraising ideas. These fundraisers will go towards the groups goal of spreading the word of the group, as well as paying for a trip to the pride parade in Thunder Bay at the end of the school year.





This assignment taught me more than I thought it would to tell the truth. I learned of the evil of backlight (the two wide shot photos with everyone in them came out obnoxiously dark quite a few times.) But I had to persevere to get the shot I wanted, with the window blinds up to portray the fact that SAGA was open to all who wished to come and check it out. It also taught me how much I hate my internet service provider, who was ultimately preventing me from publishing this post at home not only on here, but also on my personal website (like, what?) But I digress. This assignment also helped me see how creative I could get with just an iPhone photo, but I think that If I had a real camera, complete with all kinds of useful accessories, I believe I could have made my photo essay more visually pleasing. As for the topic, I think I subconsciously chose it, as it affects me as too, being someone of the LGBTQ community. It is just one of those things that comes to me naturally I suppose.

Video or Photo Essay?

I believe after viewing these three links, that I will be doing a photo essay for my assignment. I'm choosing to do a photo essay because I believe I can convey my message of shared values more easily, and stronger than through a video. Thanks to those links, as well as a few videos on youtube, I have a better idea of how take my photos, how to describe them, how to empower them in the eyes of those who read my essay.

After all that, that is to say I am not perfect in the way that I take photos, or edit them. I need more practice, and this assignment is nearly the most perfect way to better myself and my skills. By taking photos time and time again about shared values, I can only get better...right?

Shared Values

Shared Values in a business sense are explicit or implicit fundamental beliefs, concepts, and principles that underlie the culture of an organization, and which guide decisions and behavior of its employees, management, and members.

But in the sense that we are looking for (presumably), shared values have more to do with the things that we love to do, our passions, goals and hopes. They are what can connect us to other people, in the sense that we can bond through these interests. But, they can also separate us if we do not share the same values as those less fortunate than us. That is why making a documentary on the topic is important. It will spread the truth about shared values, and how we should share them with everyone we can.

Parts of a Website

The "Parts of a Website" video was refreshing to watch, despite already knowing the material discussed, such as search bars, headers, side bars, and navigation bars. It was rather short, which was enjoyable as it didn't take it's time lulling over every detail. 

As for the "Canada Council" website, the navigation bar is seen at the top of the webpage. A search bar hovers just over it as well. Just to the right of the search bar, are links to their facebook page, as well as their twitter, youtube, and blog. To the left, is a list of subtopics, as well as additional topics not related to media arts. In the top right corner you can change the language from English to French. On the footer there are more specific links that navigate you through the webpage or to other sites. This is what I could see on the Canada Council website. Overall, it was relatively simple to traverse.