WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
We are constantly redefining our own perspectives, and therefore tend to write a lot about our personal experiences. Many followers and contributors are living with anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, and a variety of other body image disorders or mental illnesses, so please be respectful and remember that health applies differently to everyone. Any and all potentially triggering content will be prefaced with a trigger warning.
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We are not health professionals. Any and all advice provided on this blog is supported only by our own research, studies, and personal experiences; nothing more.
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followers, i need your help. please re-blog and share w/ anyone who might be willing to help!
a few of you have heard about my independent study that i’m doing this semester focused on the commodification of trans women of color bodies specifically in regards to sex work.
a portion of my independent study is to conduct 2 oral history interviews.
the most important part of this is getting the practice, I hope that I don’t have to use the interviews for my final paper, but it is a possibility because it’s been extremely hard to find any sort of materials or evidence focused on trans women of color doing sex work.
i’m looking for some folks to interview [this can be over the phone or skype] and in order to be eligible:
- be a trans woman of color
- have been involved in or currently involved in sex work [any forms acceptable]
a little bit about me: Lexi, a fierce and amazing trans woman of color and femme. Currently a senior in Women & Gender Studies at San Francisco State University.
Little disclaimer: As a student I don’t have funding and this isn’t an official research project, however if you require some form of compensation for your time I am definitely willing to cook you something or send you a small gift card of your choice.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask!
Thanks!
Memphis-based photographer Haley Morris-Cafiero has long been aware of strangers making fun of her behind her back due to her size. So aware, in fact, that she has turned the whole concept into a full-blown photography project. Titled Wait Watchers, the series consists of Morris-Cafiero’s self-portraits in public in which strangers can be seen in the background giving her strange looks and/or laughing.
The project was born when Morris-Cafiero was working on a separate project titled Something to Weigh. For one of the photos in that project, she snapped a self-portrait while sitting on some steps in Times Square.After processing the film, she noticed that there was a man behind her making a face at her while being photographed by a female friend:
She noticed something similar in a photograph captured just five minutes later at a different location.
Morris-Cafiero then began setting up her camera in heavily trafficked public areas, composing the shots, setting a self-timer, and then stepping into the frame. The camera snaps a photo while she’s doing everything things (e.g. chatting on her phone or grabbing a bite to eat), and her hope is that the image also captures an interesting expression from at least one passing stranger.
I now reverse the gaze and record their reactions to me while I perform mundane tasks in public spaces. I seek out spaces that are visually interesting and geographically diverse. I try to place myself in compositions that contain feminine icons or advertisements. Otherwise, I position myself and the camera in a pool of people…and wait [#]
The images capture the gazer in a microsecond moment where they, for unknowable reasons, have a look on their face that questions my presence. Whether they are questioning my position in front of the lens or questioning my body size, the gazer appears to be visually troubled that I am in front of them [#]
You can find more photos from this series over on Haley Morris-Cafiero’s personal website.
And…. it’s finally up and running!
Today, we’re so excited to launch our new website at http://www.project-unbreakable.org/. It’s yet another big step in our journey as Project Unbreakable, and we’re so honored to be able to share it with you guys.Also, note that this tumblr blog will still exist alongside our new website :) Thanks for all the support - it means the world to us.
//// The Official RBI Fundraiser Kick-Off ////
All funds collected will go directly into equipment and supplies needed to kick RBI-related projects off the ground. Let’s see what we can make happen.
»» DONATE HERE BABES!!! ««
[There is also a donate button on the right sidebar of the website.]
——
This little kick-off was enough to raise money for the new theme I want to buy and modify! So, thank you to Elizabeth and Shannon for helping make that possible, and to everyone signal-boosting, you are true gems.
I’ve got an idea for a way to keep this propelling forward that I think will be fun, just as soon as I am capable of doing anything but watching ANTM in my PJ’s.
//// The Official RBI Fundraiser Kick-Off ////
All funds collected will go directly into equipment and supplies needed to kick RBI-related projects off the ground. Let’s see what we can make happen.
»» DONATE HERE BABES!!! ««
[There is also a donate button on the right sidebar of the website.]
——
//// The Official RBI Fundraiser Kick-Off ////
All funds collected will go directly into equipment and supplies needed to kick RBI-related projects off the ground. Let’s see what we can make happen.
»» DONATE HERE BABES!!! ««
[There is also a donate button on the right sidebar of the website.]
——
So, my loves…I have some pretty big plans.
I am in the process of designing a complete overhall of Redefining Body Image that will make getting around and interacting on this website MUCH easier.
I am also in the beginning stages of planning a body-positive guerilla marketing campaign. Posters, stickers, buttons, installations, big things, small things, you name it - I’ve got an idea for it. I’ve got TOO many ideas and I don’t know where to start.
But I DO know that I need a camera and various other pieces of equipment. I am very limited in what I can do with my project without them. There are so many beautiful bodies and people and experiences that I need to capture, both in still frame and motion, in order to help formulate my ideas and bring them to life.
While I am super grateful for my day job and the income that comes with it - the huge chunk of money syphoned out of my bank account each month going to student loans and other financial constrains because of life reasons have made it difficult for me to be able to drop money that I don’t have on necessities to keep RBI going.
I am stable, but money is tight - And I really dislike that it’s come to this point, but in order for me to make bigger steps and really make an impact: I’d like to ask for your help in funding future Redefining Body Image endeavors.
I am not sure where this will take me, but I do know that I can’t do it alone. Like everything else about this place, it is a fluid and ever-changing process - and you are all a part of it. So I do hope that, if you can afford to donate anything, you might consider throwing a couple bones my way. If not, maybe a wee signal boost?
Thank you those who have helped support me thusfar and those who may support me in the future. I have no words to explain how nervousexcited I am to be making bigger steps, but I feel good vibes, and I know good things will happen.
<3 Haley
Stay tuned…
Going over things, plans for this blog…Like maybe a discussion forum? Or a design contest? Some guerilla marketing, flyers all over the world, words, statements and experiences exposed and open to interpretation.
I’d love to hear from you all. What is missing? What can we do? What would you like to see more of from this blog?
Let’s create a buzz and get people thinking, let me be your sounding board! I’m antsy!
A quick summary of my first project. Need to get a better camera for the documentation video, but the one I have will do for now.
Final video documentation of the installation! It went over very well and I’m super happy with the result.
Working on a mini-poster series to go along with my digital installation. This one features a bit of Miss Natalie’s body narrative.
They’re meant to be viewed side by side, in a line. Still needs some work. Hoping to do 3 more.
Say hello to Paige! The latest addition to my installation and my favorite little manatee.
For real, that’s not even an insult. I’d get that tattooed on my body.
“I’m a manatee, bitch!”
A work in progress featuring miss Melasaurus, narrative taken from the Fat Acceptance Story she submitted a while back.