A Celebration of Identities: On Set at Our Pride Photoshoot
This Pride - we’re celebrating peoples’ identities, cultures, virtues, creativity, and talent. When we use the word “Pride,” we’re talking about the wonderful mix of individuals who make up the spectrum of LGBTQIA folks. Instead of slapping a rainbow sticker on packaging, we decided to give the platform to our queer family and friends. We’re committed to hearing their stories, showing their beauty, and highlighting how hair is part of their own personal drag. Through transformation, style, and living in one’s truth - these babes have found their own ways to live authentically in their expression.
Meet this epic cast of talent and crew, and learn their stories below!
Derek
Hair & Make-Up Artist
Pronouns: He/They
What are some identities you bring into this world?
I am a friend. I am a member of a house of chosen queer family. I am a creator.
What are your big 3 (sun, moon, and rising)?
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Describe your hair in your own words.
Wild, curly, and transformational.
What are some causes you care deeply about?
Trans rights and safety are extremely close to my heart.
Mia
Model
Pronouns: They/Them
What are some identities you bring into this world?
I am a proud n’ loud Non-binary Latinx living in Portland, OR.
What are your big 3 (sun, moon, and rising)?
My sun is Capricorn, Moon and Rising are Taurus.
What does your queerness mean to you?
Originally the word “queer” was synonymous with being weird or different. By reclaiming the term for myself, I feel empowered and part of a community - rather than othered. It’s also a simple way for me to lump in both my sexual and gender identity. Who am I, what am I? I am QUEER.
What has your hair journey been like?
My hair has been a huge aspect of this journey. My hair is the longest it’s been in years. It took a while to get comfortable with this symbol of high femininity. Not only is my hair tied to my gender expression, but also to me as a person of color. Growing up a Latinx child and trying to assimilate to American culture, I straightened the life out of my hair. Now I embrace my natural texture, my natural curves, and I let it all show.
Devyn
Model
Pronouns: They/Them
What are some identities you bring into this world?
I currently hold the identities of nonbinary and queer, but I’ve identified as genderfluid, pansexual, bisexual, and lesbian in the past while finding myself on my journey through my gender and sexuality.
What are your big 3 (sun, moon, and rising)?
Pisces Sun, Scorpio Moon, Libra Ascendant
Describe your hair in your own words
An ever-changing, artistic extension of myself.
What does it mean to live visibly?
Being able to go out and flaunt my queerness in public is one of the biggest things. This isn't something that every queer person has the safety and access to do, and I have to recognize that privilege I carry being a more masculine, white-passing queer person. We are heading in the right direction, but the continued demonization specifically of Black Trans Women and Trans Women of color in this country is absolutely unacceptable. It feels like we live in our own little bubble in Portland, where it isn’t that unheard of to see visibly queer people walking down the street. We have to understand as a collective how many queer people are still putting their lives and safety at risk daily just for being true to themselves.
Jonah
Photographer
Pronouns: He/Him
What are some identities you bring into this world?
Queer, Environmentalism, Empathy, and Joy
What are your big 3 (sun, moon, and rising)?
Sun is Leo, Moon is Virgo, and Rising is Gemini.
Describe your hair in your own words
A lot of curls and a mind of its own.
What are some causes you care deeply about?
Allowing everyone to be exactly who they were born to be and love who they choose, protecting the environment, wildlife and wild places, and using photography as a medium to make positive change.
Jacob
Hair and Make Up Assistant
Pronouns: He/Him
What are some identities you bring into this world?
Queer identifying
What are your big 3 (sun, moon, and rising)?
Capricorn, Virgo, Virgo
Describe your hair in your own words.
Large. Puffy. Curly. Wicked.
What are some ways folks can be better allies to you and the community?
Lift and elevate those who have been counted out. There is space for all of us. More is more. There is no reason to exclude folks when we are all equal. Pull up for your black and brown allies. Pull up for your trans allies. Share space. Listen.
At Wicked Roots, we’re also passionate about many causes that support the LGBTQIA community in various ways. Here are some of our favorites that make an incredible impact every day!
The Trevor Project is an organization that provides support and protection to LGBTQ youth under 25. The organization specifically focuses on providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.
This organization hosts monthly parties that raise money to assist with paying rent and sponsoring gender-affirming surgeries for Black Trans people.
Tony’s Place is a drop-in center in Houston, Texas, that provides solutions for LGBTQ+ youth who may be homeless or unstably housed.
Be sure to check out even more of our Pride Photoshoot content on our Instagram page!
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