Reveal Your True Color with Wella EIMI!
In 2018, we are celebrating the 10th ShanghaiPRIDE!
Every year we showcase different models
from the LGBTQ community to
increase visibility and engagement
By documenting the community
through photography
we can see how the LGBTQ community
grows and changes over the years
This year, our volunteers worked hard to
document the stories of these models
from the community
1
Coco
While others care about
my appearance
What I should care about is my own soul
I want to let the world know, this is the real me
When I first met Coco, she was in the makeup room. She was filled with a positive energy and quickly connected with the other models. One point in her life, she was told by a “professional” that she only had five years to live. Regarding those claims, Coco believes that one cannot talk about longevity without proper habits, especially when they don’t know anything about trans people.
“10 years ago, I only wanted to act cool and attract girls. Then I realized that I needed to be unapologetically myself. I should express myself no matter what situation I am in，rather than be pressured to be someone that is defined by social norms. No matter how I look, I am me.”
Her name, “Coco” comes from coconut. Inspired because a coconut has a hard shell on the outside and is soft and pure on the inside, Coco courageously accepts who she really is now.
She hopes the trans community can gain more visibility and understand the future rather than being discriminated against and being victims of domestic violence at home. This is why many trans organizations in China have been working so tirelessly for trans rights.
2
Chen & Bridget
Without labels
we can better accept ourselves
Even if they think we are just bestfriends
Chen and Bridget are a lovely lesbian couple. They met and got to know each other and then fell in love because of improvisational theatre.
Ten years ago, they were young and still figuring out their sexual orientation. Chen’s first thought when she realized that she liked girls was, “I will protect her for life!” Bridget had a buzzcut in case people could not tell she liked girls.
Ten years later, they were getting to know more and more about the LGBTQ community. Through removing labels and becoming more inclusive, Bridget finally obtained self-acceptance and no longer has gender dysphoria and embraces her gender identity as a woman. Chen no longer believes that bisexuality is greedy and incomprehensible because everyone has the right to love anyone, regardless of their gender.
This incredibly happy couple also has their own troubles. As they get older, they worry about various kinds of pressure like marriage from their parents. They have to consider how and when to come out to their families. In the future, they hope to achieve economic independence and have a successful life and career together.
To reassure those who care about them, even without a “traditional” family with one husband and one wife, two girls can also live a fulfilling life together. Together, they believe that with hard work, this day will come.
3
Yang Yang & Feng Shu
The traditional idea is that couples are comprised of ying and yang, but we don’t want to compare ourselves to others
Even if they say we are just bros
Yang Yang and Feng Shu are a gay couple who love fitness. Their muscular stature may make them seem unapproachable, but this is not the case.
It was only after the conversation that I realized they are actually very positive people who are also a bit shy. They look strong on the outside and are confident and determined on the inside.
To each of them, the other is the most wonderful being in existence. For them, it is not about a sense of security, it is more about the fact that they are soulmates.
“The conventional wisdom is that couples should complement each other as ying and yang energies,” Feng said, “but we don’t want to compare ourselves to others.” That is why they wanted to live in a diverse and inclusive city like Shanghai.
They don’t care what others think.
They just want to live their own lives in the best way possible.
“We are thankful for the past year we have been together. We look forward to a great future for us.”
4
Lilian
The road ahead is very long
so we should keep going
Love is inclusive, regardless of your gender identity
Lilian has lived and studied in many countries since childhood. She has a different temperament than most girls.
She never hides who she is.
She is confident, beautiful, friendly and easy to talk to.
She has her own unique views on feminism and LGBTQ rights. She is straight-forward, direct and goes to the root when talking about social issues.
This year is Lilian’s fourth year volunteering in ShanghaiPRIDE. Lilian has been following women and LGBTQ-related activities for almost half a decade.
She expects that more people will know, understand and accept the community. At the same time, she hopes more marginalized identities can be accepted within the community.
When asked what she wanted to say about the 10th ShanghaiPRIDE, Lilian spoke softly and firmly: “Keep going.”
5
KA & Sarah
In fact, we are all the same
Loving you is the best thing
KA and Sarah are a straight couple who met each other in the office. Even though there are many gay men in the beauty industry, who says straight men can’t be part of it?
They didn’t really know much about the LGBTQ community 10 years ago. Nowadays, they can speak confidently about the gay communities in Chengdu and Chongqing.
From their perspectives, their LGBTQ friends work harder and are becoming more independent. This is also what they hope to have within the next 10 years.
Take pride in our love
Special Thank You to Wella EIMI
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As a member of LGBTQ community
or as an ally
Have you observed any changes
in the last 10 years?
What are you looking forward to
in the next 10 years?
Leave a comment to share about
#Your story with Pride
#The story about you and your partner
#The story you want to share
ShanghaiPRIDE 2018
We hope more people
Will hear our stories
and see our growth
