The Families We Make is an LGBTQ+ photo series that highlights the crucial connections between members of the queer community. Often feeling unsafe, or rejected by their biological families, queer people turn to other community members for support and love, creating their own "chosen family."
The Families We Make series was captured by New York photographer Levi Jackman Foster, and was created to raise awareness of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), an organization dedicated to improving the lives of elder members of the LGBTQ+ community. The photo series outlines the importance of the connections formed between younger and older members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This photo series serves as a reminder of the value of the marginalized elderly LGBTQ+ community and emphasizes the importance of love and support between members of a vulnerable community. The Families We Make Series encourages LGBTQ+ youth to reach out and seek support from places and people they might not have considered before.
Redefined Family Portraits
"Chosen Families" are Celebrated in This LGBTQ Photo Series
Trend Themes
1. Chosen Families - Opportunity to create more support and advocate programs for LGBTQ+ communities to celebrate alternative forms of family.
2. Intergenerational Connections - Opportunity for organizations to focus on bridging the gap between younger and older generations within the LGBTQ+ community through storytelling and other tools.
3. Alternative Portraits - Opportunity to redefine family portraits beyond traditional models and expand representation of LGBTQ+ families through various photography projects.
Industry Implications
1. Nonprofit - There is an opportunity for nonprofits to create more support for the LGBTQ+ elderly by providing social activities, outreach, and wellness programs.
2. Photography - Photography can be utilized to redefine what constitutes a family portrait and expand the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals, communities and families.
3. Advocacy - An advocacy organization can be created to promote diversity and inclusion, mobilize communities around a common cause, and advocate for policy change affecting the LGBTQ+ community.