Visibility: Portraits of Love

Dear LREI Community,

• Can you be more specific about why you feel this photo exhibit is still relevant? While this is a question we ask ourselves, and there have been positive changes on this front, it seems as if the right to express your sexuality and gender without interference and, more importantly, with acceptance and respect and love, is being questioned with increasing vehemence and anger. In addition, as a community dedicated to young people, we need to remain in the struggle for the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth who continue to be victims of bias, bullying, and violence, and who often find intolerance within their own families. There are still students to support, families to educate, and laws to defend. For more information about safe schools and anti-bullying efforts, visit www.GLSEN.org.   

• Why doesn’t the photo exhibit invite pictures from all families at LREI? This would make for a warm and wonderful exhibit, without question. However, such an exhibit would suggest that all families, all relationships, all experiences are equal. While many believe it is true that all should be treated equally, that we should recognize that love is love and identity does not define worth, that love and caring are powerful and wonderful no matter who is sharing them, it is essential to remember that while all love may be equal, not all love is treated equally, that legal equality has proven to be fragile, and that some people have to hide their true selves or run the risk of emotional or physical assault.  We choose to highlight those who do not always find themselves welcomed.

• Is this exhibit appropriate for our youngest students?  It is. As you view the photos in the exhibit, a number of themes will emerge for you – dignity, friendship, equality, and courage, among others.  But most of all, the theme or feeling or emotion that you will take away from viewing these beautiful photographs is love—love for family and friends and parents and children—and I can think of no reason that, of all things, we should ever question the appropriateness of love, the power of love, the importance of love and the right to love, and whether our Fours are ready for a conversation about love.

• Love, but sex as well, no? No. When younger students see these photos, they see friends and loved ones. They see smiles and laughter. They see families. Might they ask a question about how two mommies or two daddies can have a baby?  Sure. There are many answers to this question that do not stretch what is appropriate or comfortable to discuss with younger children.  If we are going to change the way in which people are treated, if we are going to put an end to discrimination, then we have to begin with our youngest citizens and not wait until the adults in the world have been able to impart their bigotry upon them.