Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus is an ongoing collaborative photographic essay that allows myself as a photographer and activist and a diverse group of LGBTQ youth to share experiences.
For more information about the process and work please review my fundraising site: HERE
This project is looking for a publisher to help get these voices seen and heard.
Click here for sample of the book prototype
I believe there is strength in numbers, power in words, and freedom in art and I strive to raise awareness with this work.
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Join me on: Facebook - facebook.com/SpeakingOUT.rls
and Twitter @SpeakingOUT_rls
or e-mail SpeakingOUT@rachelleleesmith.com
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Upcoming / Recent 2011:
Mazzoni Center's Elixir: Benefit for the agency’s programs and services
impacting LGBT youth - May 20th
U.S. Department of Education's Federal LGBT Youth Summit in DC during Capital Pride Week - June 6-7th
Out In Jersey Magazine - August/September issue
Gender Reel Festival - September 9th-11th
West Hill United Church of Canada - December 4th
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Speaking OUT:
Queer Youth in Focus
click on images to enlarge
scroll down for gratitudes and accolades
Publications and Interviews
The Human Rights Campaign (or here)
Robin L. Allen * Tammy L. Anderson * Kelsie Baab * Autumn Bayles * The Bailey Family * Mark Banchi * Christina Beck * Dana Bunce * Kim Bunce * Alisa Brewster * Eric Carbonara * Lauren Caruso * Jeffrey Cesari * Edith Clee * Carmella Cocchiola * Tom Fillmyer * Heather Goldberg * Joe Gorman * Jeffrey Gray * Michele Gudknecht * Jessica Howe * Ben Hustis * Jheri * Patrick Jones * Shirlene Kirk * Michael Knight * Moriah (Momo) Lancaster * Dana Mahoney * Jen Martin * Jessica Mays-Dragoo * Molly McGovern * Mandy Messinger * Ken Miraski Sr. * Allison Muchorski * Doris and Walter Muchorski * Jo Ellen Muchorski * Michelle Platt * Tom Porett * Elizabeth Profy * B. Proud * Puppet * Erica Rancilio * Lise Raven * Jeremy Reppy * Hope Rovelto * Allison, Joe, Mia and Ana Salenetri * Amy Jutton Sayler * Megan Schneider * Susan Schneider * Victoria Skowronski * Marcia and Edward Smith * Hilary Spears * Rachel Stoudt * Rachel Stoudt * Tamara Talansky * Tiffany Thompson * David Timmons * Nicola Visaggio * Christina van Leeuwen * Nicola Visaggio * Angie Walden * Carly & Roxanne Walker * Jay Walker * Bonnie Weber * Brent Weichsel * Laura Wesolowski * Hattie Wilcox
Below are statements and quotes regarding Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus
Candace Gingrich – Senior Youth Outreach Manager, Human Rights Campaign
It is very powerful stuff that should be seen by as many people as possible.
Human Rights Campaign:
Rachelle Lee Smith has created a powerful (art exhibit) sharing the stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. Youth from across the country were photographed and asked to offer their voice, opinions, and comments about their experience as GLBT. In their own words and handwriting, these youth have shared their stories creating a very intimate and personal view on what it is like to be a GLBT person today.
The Advocate:
Portraits of a Revolution: Photographer Rachelle Lee Smith gives lesbian and gay youth an outlet to speak for themselves.
Simple, yet powerful photos of queer youth speak reams
Sean Buffington – President, The University of the Arts
Rachelle Lee Smith's photographic project presents us with the face and the voice of this generation of LGBT youth: they are passionate, angry, funny, and committed. As an openly gay educational leader, I think this project is critical--not only for young queer people, but for their teachers, parents, mentors, and friends. We need to put this project in libraries and schools across the country!
Malcolm Lazin – Executive Director, Equality Forum:
Rachelle Lee Smith’s photographs take us one step closer and provide and inside, emotionally bare look at some of the unheard voices of young queer people. Smith offers a suggestion of the vast numbers of diversity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth and encourages her subjects to express their own powerful ideas and thoughts. The work is especially impressive in its presentation of image and written narrative of GLBTQ youth.
I have followed Rachelle's work for over ten years. Her work has made a unique contribution to GLBT civil rights
............................................................................................Barbara Proud – Photographer/Professor:.................................................................................. ........ The use of the square format with visible film edges further confines the subjects to a limited environment. They are boxed in. Yet they leap and dance and laugh; they brood or they stare us directly in the eye, their spirits transcending the boundaries of the frame and daring us to be free enough to love, honor and live together in harmony. These are photographs that not only need to be seen, they need to be heard.
...........................................................................Carrie Jacobs, PhD - Executive Director, Attic Youth Center: ................................................................ Rachelle’s work speaks volumes - telling stories that need be told and giving voice to those whose lives need to be heard. She has created an opportunity for LGBTQ youth to express their power and voice. I believe that every young person who witnesses this work will feel a part of that power.
................................................................................. Erin Gotthardt – Coordinator, Identity Center (NY): .......................................................................... Being able to display several pieces from this project in our youth center gave Identity Youth the opportunity to see that they are not alone; there are other young people who have experienced the same joy, frustration, sorrow, hatred, love, confusion, peace, ostracism and belonging. Through this project, the youth were able to find the rare accurate mirror of themselves, and to contribute their own faces and voices to the positive self-view of other queer youth.
