by Sophia Wong, 16 (she/they)

I am a first-generation Taiwanese-American photographer living in Los Angeles, navigating the intersections of culture, family, and queerness. Growing up between Taiwan and the United States and within a heteronormative society, my identity has been shaped by a constant negotiation between belonging and exclusion, visibility and invisibility. Photography allows me to make sense of this instability. As a queer, nonbinary person, I explore identity as something fluid and unresolved rather than fixed. Through intimate portraiture and experimental imagery, I investigate the tension between who we are and who we are expected to be. I view my work as a means of reclaiming narratives that have been erased or marginalized and offering a vision of wholeness for ourselves and those who came before us. Through honest and emotional storytelling, I invite viewers to engage with others in a meaningful, intimate way, reflecting on their own lives and identities in the process.

Artist Bio: Sophia Wong is a first-generation Taiwanese-American artist living in Los Angeles, California. Through photography, she explores the themes of race, sexuality, and belonging. Her photography has been nationally and internationally recognized by the Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation, Youngarts, Scholastic Arts and Writing, Drexel University, Rowan University, and more.

by Sophia Wong, 16 (she/they)

by Sophia Wong, 16 (she/they)

by Sophia Wong, 16 (she/they)

by Sophia Wong, 16 (she/they)

by Hazel, 18 (he/him)

Everyone can imagine that the figure is looking at a different thing, a different place, person or idea, but to me, this is a hopeful painting. I’d like to think they can fit through the opening, but they will only find out if they try. I know that opportunity or freedom can look different for different people but for me and other LGBTQ+ individuals this can often be coming out, transitioning, and/or finding your people. What remains constant is the sense of hope embedded in the possibility of emerging from darkness into light. In this painting I try to capture that hopeful moment, a moment where potential energy is held by the eyes and the form.

Artist Bio: My name is Hazel Vukojevich and I am a LGBTQ+ teen artist in Pasadena. For me, making art is THE way of existing in the world and throughout my life it has been how I have been able to find myself and express my thoughts and feelings. 

Simply, I feel the need to actualize what I imagine and bring parts of myself into the world through art. 

I will be heading to Rhode Island School of Design to study art. I want to explore all the tools I can to be able to best communicate, to create in the most meaningful way. I make art to communicate my emotions, to show people how I see them, or to express something I care deeply about. If my work communicates with anyone, that is more than enough for me.

by MRC, 17 (she/her) 

This piece is for people who are afraid of coming out. Personally, I'm still afraid to express who I truly am to those around me, especially loved ones. It's hard to share something that many people refuse to accept. However, I think it's important to be loud and proud about who you are; If you're never who you want to be, I believe you can never be truly happy. It's very important to prioritize yourself over others, even if it feels like you're disappointing or upsetting people. 

Artist Bio: I've been an artist for as long as I can remember. I use it as a method of self-expression and as a way to relieve stress. I've had multiple sketchbooks over the years and am building up the confidence to share my artwork with others. 

by Keyona, 18 (they/she)

This piece was inspired by Transgender Awareness Day while I was serving as the president of my school's Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). As part of an activity, everyone created an artwork that represented their own perspective, and this painting became my expression of self. 

The bright yellow center represents me, while the swirling colors surrounding it symbolize my identity as someone who falls under the transgender umbrella. For a long time, I struggled to understand and define that part of myself. Creating this piece became a way to process those feelings and embrace my identity. The movement of the colors reflects my personal journey of self-discovery, growth, and acceptance. 

This artwork is deeply personal because it captures a moment when I began to better understand who I am. It serves as a reminder that identity is not always a straight path—it can be fluid, evolving, and beautiful in its complexity.

Artist Bio: My name is Keyona, and I am an 18 year old artist who enjoys exploring creativity through a variety of artistic techniques and mediums. Art is one of my greatest passions and serves as a way for me to express how I see and experience the world. I Love experimenting with color, texture, and movement to create pieces that reflect my emotions, identity and personal perspective. 

Through my work, I hope to connect with others and encourage them to see beauty in different experiences. 

by Elliot, 15 (she/they)

To me this piece is my own representation of how many people have fought to get us to where we are and how much we still have to fight for. I was inspired by the famous protest phrase, commonly seen amongst queer rights protest signs “ The closet is an awful place to die”. It’s hopeful in spite of everything we still don’t have, showing that love grows can blossom in the most unlikely places and to always live as yourself to your fullest extent.

Artist Bio: As an artist I enjoy focusing on traditional media. I love graphite and acrylic. I find my inspiration in the world around me and what I love. 

by zombiescug, 19 (they/them) 

This is part of a series of similar works from last year but stands out among them as the most emotionally driven. I made this piece as a message both to and from my younger self, who was convinced they would never feel comfortable in their body, and believed they wouldn’t make it to adulthood. It’s a letter addressed, “dear future me”, but also “dead future me”. 

The summer after I finished this piece, I was finally able to achieve my dream of getting gender-affirming surgery, and since then I've never felt happier in my body. Your identity, dear reader, is worth fighting for. 

Artist Bio: Hi! I’m zombiescug, I’m a 20-year-old non-binary artist who likes to make 2D and 3D digital art, cosplays and more. I enjoy gaming, nature, art of all kinds, and sparkling water.

by A. Lorenzana, 16 (they/he)

This piece was inspired by some experiences I’ve had with gender dysphoria and euphoria. At times, it’s been difficult to look in the mirror and feel comfortable with myself and my body. But simple things, like putting on eyeliner, have given me boosts of confidence and made it easier to combat dysphoria. I wanted to show other trans and nonbinary people that your reflection doesn’t have to be a source of dysphoria, but can be turned into something more positive

Artist Bio: I have always loved being creative, and some of the work I’ve done includes Kandi bracelets, zines, screenplays, and of course, drawings. Art has always been an emotional outlet for me, and as I’ve evolved as a person, it also became a way to explore my identity.

PJJ, 41 (he/him)

This essay is about queer sensitivity, embodiment, and the slow education of being seen. I wrote it to understand how discomfort around nudity, comparison, and attention was shaped by cultural rules I never knowingly chose. Growing up without a healthy language for nudity left my body feeling like a site of friction before I knew how to name it. One thought helped me soften the gaze of others: “I would probably look too.” Not vanity, more mercy. The piece follows how attention that begins as self-protection can become compassion, intuition, and clearer sight. It matters to me because it makes some of what I moved through feel useful, not wasted. At a time when algorithms shape perception, and existential threats own more media real estate, I want my work to pull culture back toward the human, toward empathy and shared dignity.

Artist Bio: Patrick Janiak is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and founder of COVALENCE. His work begins with systems thinking and moves through writing, concept art, functional design, leatherwork, and studio practice. Writing is his private testing ground: where an idea’s value, tension, and form become clear. Queerness sharpened his practice of meeting people where they are, attuning him to context, friction, need, and resonance. He treats sensitivity as a design instrument and overlooked materials as value still present.

by J. Saravia, 33 (she/her/ella)

Artist Bio: Jess Saravia (she/ her/ ella) is a Two-Spirit Xicana y Latina multimedia artist that writes about and is a student of spirituality, nature and death. She is a proud daughter of a single immigrant mother who initially sparked her love of writing and all things whimsical. Her first solo poetry collection “Euthanasia” was released July 2025 by Daxson Publishing. Her work has also been published in three iterations of the ILL Anthology through Curiosity Press, Fullerton College Magazine, “Fuego” Anthology by the Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble and the Homies Who Submit zine. She has upcoming features in the “Engendering U.S. Central American Women & Womxn’s Testimonios” anthology. She recently emcee’d for the 6th Annual Queer Writers Festival and stage managed for Weaving Spirits at San Francisco Pride and is a BAAITS Board Member.