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.