MyAcceptance.org is an ongoing photo essay project that documents the stories of members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender (LGBT) community. Creator Parker Austin answered some of my questions about this unique website that combines photographs with a written narrative in order to “reflect the subject’s journey through life in a compelling way.” Austin says the photos and essays, “reveal how (the subject) walked through the homophobia and fear of their past and found a future of hope.

Starr: How did you get the idea for MyAcceptance.org?

Starr: Why stories? What is your connection to storytelling?

Austin: I grew up with stories, I remember sitting around the dinner table at night and listening to my dad tell us stories about his life growing up.  I remember how much those stories used to make me laugh. Story telling really is an art; if you can tell a great story then you can bring other people into your life for a moment and make them feel however you want them to. I think because of that I love to tell stories and I love listening to other people tell stories.

I love talking to people and asking them about their lives because I find that more often than not they have some amazing stories to tell and have done some amazing things in their life.  I think that a lot of people today are so focused on their own lives that they don’t take the time to listen to others and have an understanding of someone else’s point of view. I figured that if I can get people to read and understand where the subjects are coming from than maybe they’ll think twice about how they treat others.

Starr: How do you see the connection / difference between your images and the written story?

Austin: I try my best to do justice to the subject’s story when I create the ideas for the images because everyone deserves a photo shoot that represents who they are and what they went through.  So for example, one of the subjects, Andrea James grew up always having to hide who she was. She talked about how she felt like an actor growing up, always changing who she was to fit the part she was supposed to play.  I wanted a way to show that feeling, so I came up with the idea of using masks to show her many different faces she used in her life.  I’m really proud of that shot because I think it works for a lot of people not just members of the LGBT community.  I think a lot of people try and hide behind “masks” because they are afraid to be who they really are or do what they really want.

My images only show two snap shots of the subjects life: that one key moment or feeling that they had growing up and then a shot that represents how they feel now.  When you read their story you have a better idea of who they are and what they’ve been through.

For more of Austin’s work check out www.ParkerAustin.com

Parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender are invited to submit home videos to be included in a feature documentary, Gayby Boom, exploring the ever-evolving definition of family values, according to filmmaker Lisa Marie Evans.

We need parents from around the globe to submit home-videos to represent the many faces and lives involved in LGBT families. In a time where it is still illegal for LGBT individuals to marry and/or adopt, this is also the time to share our lives in the spirit of education and awareness for all communities. This will be a brilliant education tool for LGBT individuals seeking to bring children into their lives as they may learn from the stories and experiences of others.

Lisa Marie, a recent transplant from St. Louis, is getting used to our laid back Tucson ways but her work continues on this exciting project. The way is works is you submit a home video and Lisa Marie does the rest.  She’s assembled a very helpful filmmaker toolkit that includes interviewing, content and filming tips and release forms. She even has a camera to loan if you don’t have one.

You’re essentially creating a video journal that may be included in a nationally distributed film. How cool is that. Of course, its possible that your face and your story might end up on the cutting room floor, depending on how much material she gets, but your clip might be on the website where she will build a virtual community.

For more information on participation, including where to submit your video, the filmmaker toolkit, releases and press materials, visit the Gayby Boom website.  Don’t miss the video trailer on the home page.

I recently joined an online social/professional network,  Professional Storyteller, that has a number of special interest groups. I joined a couple of them including OUT Stories and saw this post, “I am always toying with the idea of using gay themes in my “adult” stories and wondered if anyone else has used or heard stories with this theme”.

This was my reply:

For the last 5 years I’ve been inviting a diverse group of people to tell personal stories to a mostly heterosexual audience at Odyssey Storytelling in Tucson, AZ. Many of the tellers have been lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Some of the stories were specifically about the LGBT experience i.e. the transman who started his story on the theme The Thing About Hair by saying “when I was a little girl I had long hair”. That got the audience’s attention.  Sometimes the teller casually mentioned a same sex partner. And everything in-between. I love that the audience is exposed to everyday people who happen to be LGBT in a very “safe” environment. I’ve never heard an adverse comment. Obviously the tellers feel supported to share.

I’ve done four LGBT themed shows, two at Wingspan, the LGBT Community Center, one at University of Arizona, and one for the Center for Inquiry. These shows were very well received.

I’m very lucky to live in Tucson, the little island of blue in the sea of red Arizona.  LGBT content is just some of the “tough stuff” I’ve exposed the audiences to.  Some of the other “difficult” stories have ranged from child abuse to mental illness to prostitution.  My intention, besides using storytelling as an entertainment, is to give people something to think about.

Maybe some people get offended and don’t come back but at least they’ve had an experience of hearing another persons truth.  Mostly I find that people are being educated and that’s one step on the way to dispel prejudices.

What are the fears that stop people from using LGBT content / references / themes in storytelling and other spoken word events (including theater)?  That they’ll lose their audience?  That they’ll be banned from other shows or festivals?  That they’ll alienate people?