黑瓜吃料网

The 黑瓜吃料网 library is currently displaying the exhibit 鈥淭his is Trans: A Photography Journal of Love and Awareness鈥� in Donor Hall. The exhibit is a portion of portraits by photographer NV Gay to demonstrate there is no single way to be transgender and to celebrate the many diverse identities within the trans community.

and is part of events by the (WRC) to celebrate Women鈥檚 History Month.

鈥淭he work of the Women鈥檚 Resource Center is rooted in a commitment to gender equity, and trans-inclusive feminism is an essential piece of our mission,鈥� said Alex Aikyo, assistant director at the WRC. 鈥淲hen we found NV Gay鈥檚 work, and all of the joy and beauty contained in these portraits, we knew we wanted to share this exhibit with our community.鈥�

Gay began their project in 2021 to show their portrait sitters as they are and to capture their full identity. They work with their subjects to get to know who they are and seek to portray that in their portrait. 

Gay鈥檚 objective was to ensure all the photos they take are affirming and uplifting. They make a point of allowing the subject to choose the final portrait and each subject also responds to the prompt, 鈥淲hat does it mean to you to be trans?鈥� 

鈥淚 want to capture people鈥檚 souls,鈥� Gay said, 鈥渘ot just their image.鈥�

In a talk to highlight the exhibit opening, Gay expressed hope that people (regardless of their gender identity) would understand there are many ways to be trans and that both gender and sexual identity can remain fluid and will grow and change as people explore the world. 

Members of the 黑瓜吃料网 trans community had the opportunity to add their images to the online exhibit through photo sessions with Gay. Between the opening keynote and the portrait sessions, more than 60 people interacted with Gay and engaged with the exhibit.

Gay also encouraged cisgender people to use their privilege and voice to protect the LQBTQIA+ community. Their recently-published book, 鈥淭he Queer Allies Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Being an Empowering LGBTQIA+ Ally鈥� (2025, lg Publishing), emphasizes three pillars to being a good ally: be respectful, educate yourself, and be active by using your talents to advocate for the community.

Broad exhibition

The 鈥淭his is Trans鈥� traveling exhibit started with an exhibition in Gay鈥檚 hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and grew from there. They have travelled all over the country and internationally to take portraits and the exhibit is constantly expanding.

鈥淧hotographs are hard to erase,鈥� Gay said. 鈥淭hey document our story and remind us that we are tomorrow鈥檚 ancestors.鈥� When asked how they are changing the world, Gay said, 鈥淏y showcasing that each person鈥檚 story is worth sharing and by uplifting those who might never be seen or heard.鈥�

One subject photographed in the exhibit wrote: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 look at it as being trans, I look at it as being free in my own skin being happy to be who I wanna be n look how I want, in this judgmental cruel world.鈥�

Another said: 鈥淢y journey is what I make of it. Not everyone is my friend but I treat everyone with kindness to see the beauty/light of complexities in our society.鈥� 

Sol Nie, programming lead at the WRC, said the exhibit and Gay鈥檚 opening keynote address 鈥渁re extremely important, especially in the current modern-day climate that is incredibly hostile to transgender folks.

鈥淲hat we hope to accomplish at the Women鈥檚 Resource Center is to highlight trans voices using our platform,鈥� Nie said. 鈥淏eing able to host this exhibit that is filled with trans joy has absolutely delighted me.鈥�

Although the timing is coincidental, the exhibit comes at a time the California State University system, of which 黑瓜吃料网 is a part, is suing the U.S. Department of Education over a threat to cut federal funding to San Jos茅鈥� State over its transgender student-athlete policies.

The exhibit will be in the library until the end of March.