Actress, model, dancer, and activist Leyna Bloom is making history along with Sports Illustrated. She has become the first Black, Asian transgender woman on the cover of Swimsuit, the annual magazine published by Sports Illustrated.
More than 50 journalists attacked during anti-Pride protest in Georgia, one dies
More than 50 journalists were recently attacked while covering an anti-Pride event in Tbilisi, Georgia. The rioters reportedly attacked them with acid and beat them, and one of the journalists was later found dead.
Bulgarian politicians seeking to cancel photo exhibition because of its LGBT theme
In the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, local politicians are seeking to cancel a photography exhibition because if features LGBT themes. The exhibition, titled Balkan Pride, is due to open in July. However, some politicians claim that they are ready to use both legal and illegal means to prevent it from being opened.
Photographer fired from maternity shoot after client discovers she is gay
Alabama photographer Faith Grace was recently hired for a maternity photo shoot. But when her client discovered she is gay, she decided to fire her. As if it weren’t enough, Grace received pretty unpleasant text messages from the client, reading that “she doesn’t want her child to be influenced by people like her.”
82% of Americans Believe Photographers Should Have Right to Refuse Service to LGBT Community
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states brought with it quite a stir in the photography community. One group was cheering in victory, calling for further legislation making it illegal for photographers and wedding vendors to refuse clients based on religious beliefs. Another group was crying out that their religious freedoms were now in jeopardy and their businesses could face extinction. And still others were indifferent. (We gotta have the indifferent ones…)
While a small minority seemed to have made their voices heard loud and clear, a recent poll conducted by Caddell Associates indicates that more than 80% of Americans still believe a photographer should have the right to decline a wedding based on religious beliefs.
Brighton and Hove Pride parade Drops Due To a Suspect Package Pinhole Camera
Earlier this week the Brighton and Hove Pride parade was stopped due to a suspicious package. You can understand the authorities for wanting to protect the 160,000 attendees and watches of the parade.
At first it was suspected that a suspicious looking object was left in the parade route intentionally to disrupt it, and a bomb disposal unit was called in to detonate the package in a controlled manner.
However the last reports suggest that the package was not suspicious at all, it was a pinhole camera.
New Feature-Length Movie Is Shot Entirely On The iPhone 5S
The iPhone has come a long way since the first generation release in 2007. With more advanced sensors and optics and powerful apps, we have seen a huge uptick in quality work coming from the little devices over the last several years. Now, a feature film shot entirely on the iPhone 5S will be hitting select theaters this weekend. Yes…an actual movie…shot on a smartphone…in theaters. (There was a time when people said man would never fly, either.)
Tangerine is about transexual prostitute Sin-Dee who learns from a friend that her boyfriend (and pimp) was unfaithful to her during her recent incarceration. The film follows Sin-Dee and her best friend on a quest to learn the truth about the rumor. (Warning: Video after the jump contains strong language.)
Photographer Receives Death Threats After Sharing a Gay Pride Re-creation of Historic Photo
For those just now crawling out from under a rock, the United States has been an open battleground since last week’s Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. The Right is attacking the left and saying our doom is upon us; the Left is rubbing it in the faces of the Right.
Ten years ago, Los Angeles photographer Ed Freeman took a photo symbolizing gay pride. The photo recreated the pose of the iconic Raising of the Flag on Iwo Jima taken by Joe Rosenthal during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, replacing embattled Marines with shirtless men and swapping the American flag for a rainbow flag.
After the Supreme Court decision, Freeman shared the image on his Facebook page, a move which sparked great controversy, including death threats.
Photography Business Brilliantly Responds To An Anti LGBT Cancellation
With latest US events about LGBT marriage, I suspected there would be an impact on the photography business (after all, someone shoots all those weddings, strigat or LGBT) and Florida based Brentwood Photography were one of the firsts to take a hit as a photography business who supports gay marriage.
They bounced pretty well though if you ask me…
Indiana Amends Law Allowing Photographers to Refuse Same-Sex Clients After Being Blasted By the White House
The state of Indiana recently approved a law allowing businesses to decline same-sex clients. Bill supporters promoted it stating that “Christian bakers, florists and photographers should not be punished for refusing to participate in a homosexual marriage!”.
Prior to signing the amendment Indiana governor Mike Pence continued to protect the law claiming it is identical to the 1993 federal religious freedom law.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Pence and other state officials are in “damage control mode”, and debunked the governor’s lies about the similarity between the two laws.
The following day an amendment was approved by Indiana’s House, Senate and governor, though not without resistance.
While this law did not refer solely to photographers, the only court case of a business being sued due to a state-level religious freedom act was against a photographer.
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