Philadelphia’s queer community is as bold, vibrant, and interconnected as the many Pride flags that adorn the streets of the city year-round (that’s right, Philly is gay beyond the month of June!).
As a queer-owned company, amplifying the voices of our community has been woven into the core of what we do since we first opened our doors (which you can conveniently find right in the heart of the Gayborhood). In fact, our work with the Attic Youth Center is amongst the most impactful—and personal—we do, as it remains the only LGBTQ+ youth center in the city, providing a safe space to queer youth for more than 30 years.
So when Rosko Scott, the PhRESH Coordinator at the Attic Youth Center, and their friend, photographer, and creative collaborator Manny Figueroa approached us to use our sister studio, GroundFloor Studios, as the backdrop for their “Living in Color” portrait project, how could we say no?
An outspoken activist and member of Philly’s queer community, Rosko’s spark for “Living in Color” first came to them all the way back in 2018, wishing to showcase the diverse beauty that lives here. After years of hurdles, setbacks, and challenges, both politically and personally, this stunning retrospective is finally ready to shine some positivity onto Philly’s queer youth, with one portrait representing every color of the progress Pride flag.
Click through the portraits below to learn more about each of the models and their unabashed Pride!
Red
Click to meet AnDrea Williams (she/her, @tiffanyumamascara)
What first attracted you to this project?
Pride is my whole life, so when this project was brought to me, it was a no-brainer. I love the camera and the feeling is mutual, so being able to share my art through this project was truly a blessing!
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
Being a fat Black trans woman has truly empowered me, not only through my art, but also my voice! The drag industry is predominantly run by white cis men, and my identity allows me to break the glass ceiling set by them. My identity is a constant reminder of my resilience, revolution, and resistance, which allows me to pursue my goals effectively and with a strong fist!
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I hope to see more fat Black trans women being comfortable with their bodies. I hope to see more Black trans folks exist freely without fear of criticism or hate within their art.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish more people knew about how resilient and strong the Philadelphia queer community is! We may not always get along, but when injustice is on the line, we know how to band together and be there for one another. Our community is NOT to be messed with!
Orange
Click to meet Manny Figueroa, “Living in Color” photographer (they/he @215mannyfigs)
What first attracted you to this project?
This was a simple idea that was presented by Rosko quite some time ago. Knowing Rosko since our Drexel partnership, I reached out in support to help get the idea off the ground and set a foundation for it. It was a pleasure, honestly. I came to Rosko some time ago asking how I can engage more with the community and be of support. This was my calling.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
My identity has always delivered a strong, noticeable, intimidating presence whenever I’ve entered a space. If anything, I recognized these qualities within my identity and have utilized them to my advantage. These powers have allowed me to make a statement, seize attention, and direct that into passion toward any project.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
Overall, I would like to see more South Asian representation. This is usually not seen for me and has impacted how I view my sexual identity with my ethnic identity. The struggle to be openly queer in these spaces is challenging. I’d like to see more of these folks challenge that.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
That it’s actually a community. I constantly see support for our community and resources being shared. I have not experienced this network elsewhere and I enjoy that I have a family and a home to come back to.
Yellow
Click to meet Honey (she/they, @honeyxbourbon)
What first attracted you to this project?
I wanted to help support my friend Rosko’s vision and do something encouraging for the LGBTQ+ community, while also getting myself out there to be more of an activist for the community.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
My identity shaped me to be able to express myself. Whether through changing my hairstyles or my wardrobes, it helps me be able to connect with different types of people.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I hope to see more queer people of color being represented, and more representation for the “plus” side of the queer community.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish people knew that the Philly queer community is very open and very accepting. We often get a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community from different cities who love the brotherly love of Philly.
Green
Click to meet Joy (she/they, @jaulieee)
What first attracted you to this project?
What attracted me to this project was simply wanting to support Rosko with their creative dreams. The more I learned about the thought process behind it as well, I was moved by the idea of the colors of people reflecting queer identities and Black/POC identities.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
I am still very new to modeling, but this project helped me to realize the importance of being authentic in my identity in every space, because those who see you for you will be moved, honored, and in awe.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I hope to see more queer artists (including me) fight through our fears and insecurities and just fucking create! Because once we start creating, we will be unstoppable. I commend both Manny and Rosko for their bravery and teamwork. It’s inspired me.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish people knew that we are everywhere! This is not a trend or an agenda, we been here, we been thriving, we been gay and Black and we ain’t going nowhere!
Indigo
Click to meet Rosko Scott, “Living in Color” director (he/she/they, @roskos_modernlife)
What first attracted you to this project?
This project started as an idea to highlight the queer people who either have made an impact in their community, or want to start making a change in their community. I also wanted to give people the opportunity to express themselves and show their true colors (literally).
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
My identity has helped shape me in many ways, most of all to help me be my authentic self. My identity as a Black queer genderfluid person allows me to open doors for other genderfluid people to share their experiences and express themselves however they want, regardless of social norms.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
After this project, I truly hope to see more queer art getting a spotlight—not just during Pride month, but any month of the year. Whether it’s on a TV show, a podcast, a musical, any kind of media; it’s important to have representation, especially for people of color. My hope is to extend the project and get more exposure to different kinds of communities and inspire the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth who can make a difference.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
That we are resilient and passionate about our communities. When we come together it’s like family. We’re very persistent for change and we always put up a fight to make a difference.
Violet
Click to meet Sage (he/him, @1s.a.g.e)
What first attracted you to this project?
Living in color, of course. It was a moment to show up and support my community: the people I’ve met along my journey that really gave me the tools and advice to conquer the world as a Black queer man, like how to accept and love myself at a young age.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
It has made me be firm and confident in my art. I’m really into music and art, and that comes with a lot of no’s and rejection, just off the strength of my sexuality. However, I still continue to persevere and work on my craft. I love what I do and there isn’t any “no” or door closing in my face that’s gonna stop me and my purpose.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
We get more attention for our deaths than our achievements. I hope to see a focus on the positive light, showing our love and the uplifting spirit we have for one another. The way we inspire each other through media and books that tell our stories. There have been tons of great things done within our community that get overlooked, so I would like to see our activists, therapists, teachers, mentors, doctors, etc. receive their flowers too, because it’s just as difficult for them, if not harder, as it is for any cisgender person.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
We are not catty. We have a lot of love for each other. We are a big pot of family—brothers and sisters, chosen parents and mentees. Of course, what normal family doesn’t go through their sets of issues? But we all come together in the end. Just know it’s nothing but a gumbo pot of love.
Black
Click to meet Izzy Ebony (he/him, @izzysenju)
What first attracted you to this project?
I was attracted to this project simply because it was a Pride photo shoot and I’ve never done one before.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
I love being a Black gay man in healthcare and seeing other Black queer people, it’s one of the most rewarding parts about my career path.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I hope to see more queer representation in media. Everyone loves to feel represented and to have characters they can relate to.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish more people knew about how the Philadelphia queer community really does take care of one another.
Brown
Click to meet Kevyn (he/him, @kyngkevyn)
What first attracted you to this project?
I was attracted to this project because I believe we should all see representation in the colors of the Pride Flag.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
My identity is EVERYTHING. Not just how the world sees me, but how I view myself. Embracing myself and identity authentically has allowed me to connect with my audience and community, facilitating hope and change.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
We’ve come a long way with representation, but my hope is through this project, more POC queer people will feel comfortable in their colors!
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
The Philadelphia queer community is fluid. We have learned to strive and thrive through pandemic, social unrest, and tragedy. But through it all, we managed to come back each time and support and uplift one another.
Pink
Click to meet Diamond (she/her, @dagem__)
What first attracted you to this project?
What attracted me to the project was the general idea of its goal, which was “how do you see life when you’re living in color?” No matter the community, I feel that everyone is unique in their own way and I loved that we could showcase that with this project.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
I think that my identity gives me an edge that others can relate to. Meaning, I live freely as who I am no matter what I do. My sexuality is a part of me, not a separate piece of me. There’s not one without the other.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I hope to see more queer representation reflected in art by simply getting those voices out there. There are lots of queer creatives, we just need to give them the platform.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish more people knew that the queer community isn’t something to be shameful of or “figured out.” If you wanna learn more, educate yourself and respect those that are part of the community even if you don’t agree. Simple.
Baby blue
Click to meet Zell (he/him, @Zell.Ritch)
What first attracted you to this project?
What attracted me to this project was the fact it was an LGBTQ+ project that put a look and vibe on each color of the flag. I wanted to be part of something that brought attention to the fact that the LGBTQ+ community comes in all shapes and sizes, and what a few of those shapes and sizes look like.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
My identity has helped me because I feel like I can connect with people of all walks of life. This outlook has helped me connect with people and learn from their life experiences. It’s helped me in this industry pertaining to how I am respected by many, because I respect those around me.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I like the visual representation of various queer identities in this project, therefore I would like to see more exposure to those that are more likely overlooked or stereotyped. I would like the world to know that we can represent ourselves in countless ways and not just what the outside world perceives.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
Our ability to come together, regardless of our history or background. Plus, we have good taste when it comes to making things look nice.
White
Click to meet Dot / Kevin NewBerry Pitter (he/him, @Kdot_ebony)
What first attracted you to this project?
I wanted to do something in support of LGBTQ+ people in Philadelphia in a fun way that could make an impact during Pride month.
How has your identity helped shape you and your goals within your industry?
Being a gay man and also being part of ballroom, I was able to learn many leadership skills and overcome shyness. It translates nicely to my job which requires me to talk 24/7.
How do you hope to see more queer representation reflected in art?
I was extremely happy to have the opportunity to be part of queer art and wish for more opportunities for all LGBTQ+ people to participate in projects like this.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Philly’s queer community?
I wish more people knew the workings of what a chosen family is and not take it any wrong way, which many do. A lot of straight people think that simply hanging out with the same sex initiates some type of sexual activities, but that is not the case. Queer people can show genuine friendship and kindness that doesn’t lead to anything sexual.
Seeing our fellow Philly queers shine bright is what Pride is all about: joy, community, and the strength to stand out. Check out some behind-the-scenes shots of how the magic happened and some extra tidbits from the crew who made it possible, and remember—happy Pride!
Click to meet Tahir, “Living in Color” BTS photographer (he/him, @fallen.images)
I was attracted to this project because I always wanted to be part of a photo project for pride. Being a gay Black man shaped me to not just think in black and white. Intersectionality gives unique experiences. It’s helped me connect with people day to day while serving the public. I hope to see more queer art to reflect our lives in even the smallest details and experiences, and I would love for more people to see Philly’s queer community’s resilience in navigating our identities within the city while being true to ourselves.
Click to meet Destiny, “Living in Color” makeup artist (she/her, @makeupphaseartistry)
Although I identify heterosexual, this project piqued my interest because of the people that were a part of it. I loved the fact that I would be a part of a project that didn’t just identify with who I am as a person, but individuals who live in the same world as me with different experiences. I really enjoy being part of things that are different from my everyday life. There were some things that I needed to do research on to understand the project a little bit more. The LGBTQ+ community has grown in so many amazing ways, and it’s still growing to the point where even individuals in the community have to continuously educate themselves. We live in a world that’s evolving, why not be a part of a project that represents that?
