"The beauty of art is that these conversations that are abstractions for some, or painfully lived experiences for others become accessible and visceral.  Itโ€™s an opportunity to build empathy. What inspired this gallery was a moving photo series from the Pulse Night Club survivors.  Thereโ€™s a degree of vulnerability in being us, being queer, being brown, or being a part of any marginalized identity.  Weโ€™re automatically exposed due to breaking up societyโ€™s dominant paradigm of who weโ€™re โ€œsupposedโ€ to be.

 

I wanted to capture this nakedness of identity, while allowing each modelโ€™s distinct personality to shine.  Each model was given the task to pick a quote that means something to them.  Itโ€™s in this place of vulnerability weโ€™re emancipated.  Itโ€™s here where weโ€™re most able to express ourselves authentically.
 

I hope this gallery inspires you to let your message shine and resonate throughout your entire being."- Narissa Jimenez-Petchumrus

(2019 Loud & Queer committee member)

"I've got a song to sing and a love to protect..

"and a promise to keep even in death."

Kaiden Wilde

Kaiden Wilde

"Why are the first responders to our oppression so often bullets?"- Kaiden Wilde

Sara Omanovic

Sara Omanovic

"You take it all in. You let the pain of the world touch your heart, and you turn it into compassion."- Pema Chรถdrรถn

Unique Dowtin

Unique Dowtin

"I hear you. I just choose to be selective of who I listen to."

Edgar Euan

Edgar Euan

"You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you."- Antonio Tijerino

Rocky E.

Rocky E.

"Pride. Equality for all."

Vanessa Wallace Gonzales

Vanessa Wallace Gonzales

"If I didn't define myself, for myself, I would be crunched into other peoples fantasies for me and eaten alive."- Audre Lorde

Stephanie Grey

Stephanie Grey

"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."- Elie Wiesel

Narissa Jimenez- Petchumrus

Narissa Jimenez- Petchumrus

"You don't get it. Brown is the source of my strength, not my fragility. Put us in the sun, we will grow."

LOUD & QUEER

YOUNG VOICES: EXPRESSION THROUGH ADVOCACY

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WHY WE LOVE SPELUNK MAG!

Founded by Mel McElhose, Spelunk Mag is a quarterly publication dedicated to promoting visual art and creative writing as well as featuring authentic lifestyle and expression of true individualsโ€”not brands. The overall aim of Spelunk is to inspire and encourge creativity across all walks of life while positively impacting local communities and creatives through the magic of print!