Photography'spower to capture a subject-representing reality, or a close approximation-hasinherently been linked with the construction and practice of identity. Sincethe camera's invention in 1839, and despite periods of severe homophobia, thephotographic art form has been used by and for individuals belonging todynamic LGBTQ+ communities,helping shape and affirm queer culture and identity across its manyintersections. Queer Lens exploresthis transformative force of photography, which has played a pivotal role inincreasing queer visibility. Lively essays by scholars and artists exploremyriad manifestations of queer culture, both celebrating complexinterpretations of people and relationships and resisting rigid definitions.Featuring a rich selection corpus of images-includingportraits of queer individuals, visual records of queer kinship, anddocumentary photographs of early queer groups and protests-this volumeinvestigates the medium's profound role in illuminating the vibrant tapestryof LGBTQ+ communities.
