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Untitled: A Senior Listener Lyric Photographic Diptych by Gabriela Wilde (2017)

My lyrical essay represents what it’s like for someone to experience homophobic torment in all parts of their life, even in what is supposed to be the safest place: home. I learned that the feeling of guilt can linger, but with it develops a feeling of strength and empowerment.

In my essay, I talk a lot about how it feels to be attacked for something that you don’t have control of. I didn’t want both of my pieces to be depressing and highlight the same feelings though, so I chose to make my diptych a contrasting supplement to the writing. The passage I chose is about being prideful despite having setbacks and obstacles to hurdle. It fits nicely with my photography because in the photo my subject is surrounded by blooming flowers, which is metaphorical for the growth within himself.

I chose to color my subject’s jacket red, as it is like his coat of armor, representing his resilience. I thought it would help support my writing because even though my subject has been the victim of hate, through developing self love, he has learned to brush off the mean comments. Because of this, he isn’t afraid of showing his bold character. The reflection of the text in the panel beside the photo is morphed into the shape of his body because the words are his essence– they’re what he lives by, and this kind of attitude radiates from within him.
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