story and photography
by Mia Byington
Seeing yourself represented in the media can be the difference between self-isolation and self-acceptance.
I grew up in Spokane, Washington, close to the Idaho border. Spokane has grown more liberal in recent years, but the surrounding area is still pretty conservative. My school peers regurgitated conservative talking points, and were openly homophobic.
I realized when I was 12 that I wasn’t like my friends. When they were interested in boys, I was interested in the girls I played soccer with. So I turned to the internet and media for a queer outlet in my life. Seeing and interacting with other queer people online saved me as a teenager.
Moving to California for college, I vowed that I would be completely open about being a lesbian, and as a Campus Times photographer, I took assignments that pertained to anything queer.
This frequently took me to drag shows and events. Seeing other queer people express themselves freely made me feel more confident to do the same.
The photos here are a compilation of the drag queens I’ve shot for Campus Times over the years, as well as some new material. Through these assignments I encountered performers who are just as interesting off-stage.
Camila Camaleón is a policy director and focuses on transgender rights and reproductive justice. She’s previously worked for Gender Justice LA and San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center and recently founded the Trans Queer Institute, a leadership, policy and research academy. Godoy was featured on season two of Netflix’s “Next in Fashion” and designs custom outfits for celebrities and fellow drag queens. His custom work has been featured on notable TV shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “The Traitors.” Elektra La Gata is a writer, producer, director and actress. She recently hosted the Los Angeles Trans and Non-Binary Film Festival.
I’m so grateful that I’ve been allowed to explore and photograph this community. I chose and will always continue to choose representation that is essential to me and my community.
Mia Byington is a senior photography major and staff photographer for the Campus Times. She can be reached at mia.byington@laverne.edu.
Mia Byington is a senior photography major with a minor in marketing. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
