Photos "Being Out, Washrooms, Normal" by Jestina, 18, Kitchener http://www.ok2bme.ca/jestina2

I first came to know of the OK2BME project a few years back when I volunteered with Niagara Pride Support Services (an organization that set up supports, recreation and community events amongst other great things, for the Niagara regions LGBTQ youth).  Although, I hadn’t really caught wind of this amazing photo project until a couple of weeks ago when I attended the Rainbow Health Ontario Conference in Toronto.

Now, a trip to Toronto for me is invigorating, and inspiring. I see all the great programs that have been put together and continue to support the LGBTQ community and I can’t wait to get back to London and spread the love.  This project found me.  Since I recently started working at mindyourmind.ca it made complete sense to bring this idea back with me.

Now, the “outLOUD” Photography project is described as such:

outLOUD is a 5 week group for LGBTQ youth in Waterloo Region. Group participants learn basic photography skills and create a photo-text piece representing their experiences being LGBTQ. All the pieces created by group members are then used as a travelling photo-text exhibit, combating homophobia through education and further understanding of the issues LGBTQ youth face.

I was reminded that mindyourmind.ca just revamped its ENTIRE website recently and has added a ‘Photos’ page for youth submitted photography. And this is just a thought... but what if you started your own project? Let’s open it up beyond the LGBTQ experience (because mindyourmind.ca is about mental health *and I’m not suggesting that LGBTQ discrimination ie/ homophobia/transphobia/bi-phobia/ and on and on don’t lead to or contribute to some mental health issues *such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, substance abuse, suicide, etc.* - light bulb moment anyone?) and challenge ourselves to find what messages, images, posters, people, actions, phrases, and spaces in our lives/city/homes/newspaper stands/schools/tv/internet contribute to the stigma and discrimination you (and others)  face every day.

Surprisingly sometimes you are just soooo used to seeing those messages you actually forget what they are really telling you! 

Maybe just share your photography in general – a picture is worth a million and more words – let us know what that photo meant to you at the time you took it.  Was it a self-soothing walk along the beach? A stress busting movie night with your friends?  Look at what it means to you now – maybe a reminder of a time you dealt with being stressed out in a positive way, maybe it captured something so beautiful that it gave you the inspiration to look deeper into people, or maybe the photo captured the pain, frustration or anger you felt when you were dealing with being treated poorly, or maybe it just simply captured you.

Find those images that create stigma amongst communities, amongst students, cultures, sexual orientations, and people living with mental and physical illnesses (those things that make you feel like the ‘other’). Sometimes making ourselves aware of the meaning behind a message, a word or an image can begin the process of breaking down that control – and speaking up for change. 

The weather is beautiful – get outside and enjoy it. Grab your camera or cell phone, or iPod thingies that take pictures. Grab a friend or two and you might just be amazed at what your eyes really see when your mind is on a mission!

NOW before you go…

Take five minutes and check out the OK2BME Photography Project here:  http://www.ok2bme.ca/outloudphoto  and maybe even submit your comments/thoughts and feelings about the project – or if it inspires you – tell us!

I’m so excited to see what you send in J  SO excited to see your world through your eyes. (Note – this is where we get empathy from, being able to see another person’s experience as they see it teaches us to be more mindful and sensitive to another person's world = which…. Drum roll please…. REDUCES STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION!!!)

Oh... another great idea. If you want an extra challenge, try to ‘walk a day in someone else’s shoes’. When you’re out on your photo adventure, imagine you are someone else. Maybe you imagine yourself as a gay or trans teen (or maybe a straight teen), a teen struggling with their body image, maybe you imagine yourself living with depression, or anxiety, maybe even imagine yourself with a different skin colour – see if you can pick up on messages from a different lens.  Some of you won’t have to ‘imagine’ because it is how you live your every day.

I’m going to take my own challenge… for a couple of reasons. 1. I love photography 2.  If I do it... Maybe you will too!  So look for my entry on the Photo page http://mindyourmind.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=42

Written by Melissa