Collected Item: “This is what a trans man looks like.”
Your Name
Ryan Schaefer
Your Pronouns
He/him/his
[Eligibility] The Curve Photo Contest proudly centers and uplifts people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women and nonbinary people. Please share how you self-identify, using language that feels most accurate to you. Feel free to include all intersections of your identity. (Examples: lesbian, trans person of color, Latinx queer woman, radical faery, butch, etc.)
This is what a trans man looks like.
[Artist Statement] Tell us more about your photo by sharing a brief artist statement OR answering this prompt: "This is what being ______ means to me..." (Max. 100 words)
This is a self portrait that I took in 2021. I was just shy of eight months on testosterone, and three months post-operative from top surgery. In the beginning of my transition I was obsessed with reclaiming my femininity. I had always enjoyed vibrant make up and clothing, but never felt free to fully embody femininity until my body aligned with my gender identity. This photo means freedom to me.
[Visual Description] Describe your photo so we can provide alt-text. Example: "Two women holding hands and smiling as they walk in a pride parade, surrounded by rainbow flags."
A white trans masculine person sits in a bright yellow chair. He wears a full face of make up and has brown curly hair. A blue painting sits behind him and a long pothos plant extends over the chair. He is shirtless, revealing double-incision top surgery scars. He wears hot pink tights and black heels. His legs are crossed, he cradles his right knee in his hands.
[Agreement] Do you consent to The Curve Foundation storing, sharing, and using this image and its description as we deem appropriate, including disseminating on our social media, website, and Curve Archive and Curve Quarterly?
Yes
Instagram handle, if any
ryantschaefer
[Agreement] By checking 'I understand' below, I acknowledge that this contest upholds values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and I confirm that my submission does not contain anti-LGBTQ+ or other discriminatory, hateful, or exclusionary content.
ryantschaefer@gmail.com