Two Groundbreaking Exhibits Presenting the Faces and Voices of Same-Sex Newlyweds

THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE

THE NEWLYWEDS

For the first time ever in this country's history beginning February 12, 2004, thousands of same-sex couples were married before a worldwide audience. The Queer Cultural Center (Qcc) and Bay Area Community of Women (BACW), in conjunction with The San Francisco LGBT Community Center and over twenty allied community organizations from across the country, present a photography exhibition, Spouses for Life - A Wedding Album. By presenting the human faces and voices of these newlyweds, the exhibit will convey the universality of love and commitment and further public understanding and acceptance.


The project is composed of two separate exhibits - The Photographer's Eye and The Newlyweds - which premiered at galleries in San Francisco as part of the 7th National Queer Arts Festival. The exhibition will then tour and be available on-line, expanding over the next few years to incorporate submissions from around the world, and giving people outside the Bay Area the opportunity to understand the marriage equality movement on a more personal level.

The Photographer's Eye is a series of images by professional photographers documenting these historic marriages. The exhibit ran from June 6th - June 23rd 2004 at the SomArts Center, 934 Brannan Street in San Francisco, and continues here, on-line, in our gallery section.

The Newlyweds - Opened Saturday June 12, 2004
Photos and Stories from the Newlyweds

The Newlyweds features the couples' own stories and photos - putting a voice and a face on a human rights movement that in years to come will be seen as a pivotal time of cultural transformation. The exhibit shows from June 12th - October 30th at the San Francisco LGBT, 1800 Market Street, and continues online at www.bacw.org.

The Opening Reception speakers included Kate Kendell, Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and Molly McKay, Executive Director of Marriage Equality California (MECA).

Members of the press are invited to attend the Press Preview and Reception from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Married couples and community leaders will be present and available for interview. Please RSVP to mindyb@bacw.org if you plan to attend.


SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are still being accepted for the expanded versions of both exhibits. To submit photos or video for the expanded Newlywed for the online Wedding Album, please click here or contact Mindy Bokser. To submit photos for The Photographer's Eye, please contact Lynnly Labovitz.