Queer Portraits: How Does Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation Influence Who We Are?

Video Features

This video explores and celebrates a few of the infinite spectrums of gender expression and sexual orientation.

Contents

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Queer Portraits presents a series of deeply personal narratives from individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. These individuals share their experiences with gender identity, sexual orientation, societal expectations, family dynamics, as well as their journey towards self-acceptance and empowerment.

Discussion Highlights

  • Societal expectations and gender norms
  • Identity and self-discovery
  • Family dynamics and acceptance
  • Finding a community and discovering a sense of belonging
  • Empowerment and self-expression
  • The historical and ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition
  • The role of creativity and art in identity expression
  • Intersectionality between LGBTQ+ identity and other aspects of one’s self
  • Mental health challenges and internal conflicts
  • Hope and progress for future generations

Memorable Quotes

Gender expression and sexuality are what I would consider to be part of the language of humanity.

Paulin Laurent

The exact moment I realized, like, you’re not I’m not meant to be understood by you, nor am I under any obligation to make any sense to you. That was my coming out.

Deon Hinton

Gender expression and sexuality is really tied to your identity. Because if you’re hating yourself and not showing your, like, full self to others, you’re really not fostering, like, open and honest communication.

Brooke Dangler

When you’re at a gay bar or like a queer bar, there’s this sense of community and family that ended up translating, you know, to my everyday life because I ended up feeling so comfortable in my own skin that I wasn’t afraid to express myself and honestly in any way, I was not afraid.

Tommy Pathammavong

Being gay is not what defines you. Right? You’re a human being who happens to be gay.

Paulin Laurent

Some days I will wake up and feel very, you know, masculine within myself. I will dress a certain way. I will hold myself a certain way. Some days I wake up, I’m extremely flamboyant. I will hold myself in that way, I will dress that way, I will, you know, carry myself in that manner, and I think that’s just like the beauty of how much I’ve come to love myself is like I have no restraints on what I will allow myself to feel.

Deon Hinton

Show Notes

  • Date: Premiered May 12, 2021
  • Directed, Shot, and Edited: Karl Cannone
  • Assistant Tommy and Mickey’s Sequences: Ariana Saigh
  • Stylist Mickey’s Sequence: Cynthia Molina
  • MUA Mickey’s Sequence: Danni Katz
  • Producer: Thought Catalog