Coming Out in America: Michael Sharkey’s Queer Kids
Coming Out in America: Michael Sharkey’s Queer Kids
1 minute read
Andy and Tanner, 18 and 16, Orinda, CA"[I realized I was gay] when someone told me what the word 'gay' meant in fifth or sixth grade," says Andy, right. "I came out when I was 13," says Tanner, left. "But I knew when I was 11 for sure."M. Sharkey
Since 2006, New York City based portrait photographer Michael Sharkey has been photographing gay teens and young adults as part of his on-going series Queer Kids. Born out of his own struggles coming out in the 80s, Sharkey says the focus of the project, where he interviews and portrays each subject, is to give this generation a voice, one he didn’t have at their age.
“I desperately wanted to be made valid in the eyes of my peers. I’ll never forget being punched by a high-school classmate,” Sharkey told TIME. “It was precisely this kind of willful, painful defiance that I wanted to capture in these portraits.” But the photographer was surprised by what he found. “What you may also see is delight” says Sharkey. “That is the domain of a new generation. The sheer joy of being able to stand up and be seen without shame.”
Sharkey continues to seek subjects interested in participating in the project. To learn more about it or get in touch, check out the Young & Queer in America project.
Andy and Tanner, 18 and 16, Orinda, CA"[I realized I was gay] when someone told me what the word 'gay' meant in fifth or sixth grade," says Andy, right. "I came out when I was 13," says Tanner, left. "But I knew when I was 11 for sure."M. SharkeyJonathan, age 20, San Angelo, TX "I have trouble at times with the gender aspect of my life. I view it as something very fluid and something easy to manipulate." M. SharkeyPatrick, 22, Glastonbury, CT"I realized I was 'gay' pretty young, maybe the 9th grade. I realized I was 'queer' this year. 'Gay' is really nice and friendly. You don't want to step on anyone's toes. 'Queer' is in your face and tough and calling people out and not being afraid to speak your mind. That's more me."M. Sharkey Brandon, 18, Miami, FL "My grandmother," says Brandon, talking about who the most important person in his life is. "She is always there for me, loves me daily and accepts me for who I am."M. SharkeyLiz, 21, Middlebury, VT"I definitely have a big disconnect with some of my straight friends. Even for some hetero-normative-looking queers there is a huge disconnect between the different things we face. I've had experiences where I've been walking down the street and had 'fuck you, homo' yelled at me. Where hetero-normative haven't experienced that just because they don't look the part."M. SharkeyDavid, 19, Wapenders Falls, NY. Bobby, 17, Hopewell Junction, NY. Mike, 17, Hopewell Junction, NY (Left).Nikki, 17, Miami Beach, FL (right)"I always knew there was something different about me," says David. "It wasn't a problem until I got older and realized what it was and how society doesn't accept it." "I'm not going to be a Britney Spears or Paris Hilton," says Nikki. "But I'm definitely going to be recognized for something I do."M. SharkeyKeenan, 17, Seattle, WA "I have no idea where [my life] could go. I always go on a whim. I don't make too many plans."M. SharkeyDevin, 19, Park Ridge, IL "My sophomore year in high school was the first time I was really attracted to a girl. And the first time I acted on it. I don't know if I really considered myself gay at the time. I was just confused, I guess."M. Sharkey J. R., 17, San Francisco, CA "They saw a picture of my girlfriend in my wallet," says J.R., explaining how his mother and friends found out she was gay.M. SharkeyDeMarques, 18, Denver, CO "I don't think we are going to get anywhere as far as rights and the respect we deserve as [gay] people. I don't think it is going to get anywhere if all of us don't band together and unite for something that we can all agree on. So it's not going to get anywhere."M. Sharkey Rey, 17, San Francisco, CA"I would say my sexual orientation is everything that I am and I am proud of who I am."M. SharkeyEthan, 17, Port Orchard, WA"That's a tie between two people," says Ethan, talking about the most important people in his life, "my mother and Leonard Cohen."M. Sharkey
