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Calling All Closeted Service Members


Military Getty Image x390 | Advocate.com

Photographer Jeff Sheng is looking for as many participants as possible for a new photo project on closeted men and women in the U.S. military.

The casting call reads, “'Jess, Bend, Oregon, 2009' is part of my newest photography project, 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,' a series of photographs of closeted men and women in the United States military. For each image, I have asked the individual to wear their uniform, while staging the photoshoot in the bedroom or local hotel room where that person is currently stationed. The reason for this is that I am most interested in the intersections between public and private space, and the government’s policing of our private spaces — the bedroom being the most representative space of this. I have purposely shot each image in a way that obscures to some degree the identity of the individuals, and the final image that is released to the public is first approved by the subject, and is in many ways, their expression of their closeted-ness and lack of identity. The name and location is also fictional: I have asked the subject to give me a first name and a location that is significant to them, but does not actually refer to the true name and location of who is in the photograph. My aim in this project is to use photography to create a visual record of the numerous individuals currently serving our country that are unjustly forced to hide an integral part of who they are."

You can contact Sheng through his website.
 

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 11/22/2009 3:43:46 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    I agree, Rikki. And THANK YOU for your service to our country.

  • Name: Rikki Dalton
    Date posted: 11/22/2009 1:17:17 AM
    Hometown: San Antonio

    Comment:

    ...more like retribution than retaliation, and yes, it is BS. I served for over 22 years as a closeted bisexual. I look forward to seeing DADT repealed because no one should have to put up with such archaic BS from the very people you are defending

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 11/20/2009 6:53:27 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    How DISGUSTING!! People who are serving in the military of the country which holds itself out as THE bastion of freedom, have to hide their identities for fear of retaliation. What BULLSHIT!



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