The LGBT Intimacy Project
The Intimacy Project is a collection of images created by and for the LGBTQ community with the primary goal of combating homophobia. The exhibit uses photography and its subjects to showcase the diversity of LGBTQ people, the nature of our relationships, and the manifestations of intimacy experienced within those relationships. Pittsburgh Photographer Dawn Hartman created this ever-changing exhibit to promote visibility and positive representation for the LGBTQ community specifically.
Fear, misunderstanding, and lack of education are largely responsible for the negative perceptions of LGBT individuals that pervade the cultural consciousness. These distortions reinforce inaccurate perceptions of the love within our community. Dawn’s hope is that the images contained in this project will provide a diversified, realistic portrayal of LGBTQ intimacy that allows those lacking exposure to see the humanity of all individuals and the universality of love. She is also inspired by the potential to create positive, hopeful imagery in which LGBTQ individuals might see their own experiences reflected.
To date, more than 100 people have been photographed for The Intimacy Project. The exhibit was originally composed mostly of images from Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas. In order to achieve a more accurate portrayal of the contemporary American LGBTQ community, the project has expanded. Dawn is now working to photograph individuals and couples all over the US and document the diversity of our community on a national level.