09/10/2026
World Su***de Prevention Day has me thinking about the impact of representation, acceptance, and celebration when it comes to supporting the q***r community in particular. We know that members of the q***r/trans community are more likely to consider or attempt su***de than the rest of the population and it guts me to think about, because q***r people are nothing short of a gift to this world.
I know that su***de prevention is bigger than any one of us and our individual behaviors. It involves systemic intervention, like access to healthcare, housing equity, s*x education, de-stigmatizing mental health and treatment modalities, etc. But as a former kid who grappled with suicidal thoughts and self harmful behaviors, who grew up to have a big, beautiful life for which I am so grateful - I feel very strongly about what it can do for our sense of self and belonging in the world to be represented, celebrated, and encouraged to be creative. And how sometimes, that makes a big difference in the choice of whether or not to stick around to see the sun rise again tomorrow. Not every kid who felt and behaved the way I did as a teen got to make it this far, so I feel I owe a lot to the others I see pieces of myself in.
From q***r couples to q***r kids to q***r parents to q***r artists and beyond - I am so glad you are here and endlessly grateful to get to celebrate you the way that portrait photography allows me to. Keep blooming, my friends 🌷💛
