No. It’s giving them vocabulary. It’s giving them a way to understand their own experiences by helping them see they’re not alone. It’s helping them to know they’re not broken, or strange, or really all that different. It’s showing them they have a community they can reach out to for help and guidance. It’s giving them the words to describe their truth, but it’s not creating that truth. It was always there. But it was a big nebulous mass of confusion and bewilderment and pain before we had ways to connect with one another. It was one long line of “you’re a late bloomer” or “lots of people don’t like wearing dresses, you’re not that special!” or “you just haven’t met the right person yet.” It was a painful series of attempts at conformity in the absence of any other options. 

Marchesa

Soviet soldiers play a nocturne for their comrades amidst the ruins of battle. Novoshahtinsk, Rostov Oblast. Autumn 1942.

Haydn: Before you go, go

Beethoven: When September ends

Mermaid and Dragon Scale Tights and Stockings, by Virivee on Etsy

Tale of The Artist Who Photographs Beauties in Gowns Against Idyllic Backgrounds

Cappadocia, Turkey, Finolhu, Maldives, Poppies Field, Crimea, Louvre, Paris, France are few of the many scenic places where artist Kristina Makeeva has travelled to juxtapose elegant fashion against phenomenal architecture for her photographic compositions.