Indy Pride Uncertainty, a photo from Indiana, Midwest

Photographer's Note

Since everyone in Europe is posting photos of Gay Pride in their countries, I thought I'd add one more from this year's celebration in Indianapolis.

But this one has a subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) image of "horizontal" homophobia. The man in the middle of the frame is looking at the joyful drag queen with a look of shock (?) or disbelief (?) while she happily goes by enjoying herself.

When gay people act out the homophobic tendencies of the majority culture against the members of our own community, we call it "horizontal hatred" or "internalized homophobia" --certain members of the group are made the targets of homophobia from gay people, and drag queens and other gender non-conformists are usually those who suffer most. Sometimes just in subtle ways as we see in the photo.

flip89, pridel, SylFondacci, tiobibi, eleparc ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

maurazos (0) 2005-06-28 11:42

Interesting image, with a look of the man which is so elloquent. Regards.

flip89 (3418) 2005-06-28 12:42

Very emotive, very subtle and very true. Wonderful journalistic piece.

pridel (233) 2005-06-28 16:48

hi Herbert
Homophobia is everywhere, you show us a example. thank's for that.
contrast is seizing between the joy of the dragqueen and the sad air of the others.
Pascal

joseelias (0) 2005-06-29 16:14

Interesting note and concept. Although not a very interesting attitude…

You’ve captured a very symbolic moment. The framing is nice with the drag queen occupying an important place in the framing but leaving space to the action in the background.

rbcy1974 (20758) 2005-07-04 2:32

Hi Herbert,
Very interesting image, you have really manage to capture the moment here. I think that a tighter crop focusing more on the main chatacters even if you have to cut a bit of the head of the drag queen could be effective.

You raise an interesting point.
I myself have learned to respect others, but I must comfess that as a gay man, I am bothered by the fact that to a large number of straight people being gay is synonimous with drag queens, and this is something that makes the coming out and adaptation of many all so much more difficult.

coco (30439) 2005-07-04 10:46

Hola Herbert.
Más que a un "festival", yo la incluiría como "daily life".
Primero porque el sujeto principal no ocupa toda la atención de la foto. Y luego porque también vemos a ese joven que observa con asombro.
Es una buena composición y un reflejo de una lenta e imperfecta integración de este colectivo: cada vez es más normal la presencia de estos colectivos a la vez que todavía es normal encontrar rechazo hacia estos. Enhorabuena por la foto, puede que pueda tener mejor calidad de imagen, pero globalmente es la que más me gusta de tus fotos.

Nota: mañana habrá más Silos; no tenía pensado poner tan pronto pero haré un pequeño hueco entre dos series de fotos que tenía preparadas.
Un saludo.

SylFondacci (4087) 2005-07-05 16:23

Very interesting and unusual capture at the gay pride.
A very journalistic shot !
Interesting note, too.
Congrats, Herbert !
Sylvie

MiguelP (14470) 2005-07-06 16:16

I´m glad you´ve posted this photo Herbert cause far from gay subject also tell us about the capacity, perhaps necesity, to hate... Why we feel superior to others? Why such a nonsense competitivity? Take care.

convey (170) 2005-07-21 1:47

well when i first saw this shot i thought it was funny how discusted the people were in the back. but really, it is a bit sad... i guess i was amused because the only uncomfortable people in the shot are the ones who are alienating, not the one who's being alienated. perhaps it's a combination of homophobia and racial segregation, too. :( but the homophobia you speak of is virtually nonexistant where i live so something to be glad about.
annnyyway, excellent shot.

klennon79 (0) 2006-01-18 11:31 [Comment]

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eleparc (24063) 2006-05-17 20:05

Hi herbert, great note and photo showing off the everyday homophobia of people... could have been a good illustration of this day against Homophobia.. pity you did not leave a trace of your passage on my post today to show your involvement on the issue... more than 120 passages and only 5 notes...

Cheers
Eric