Allie & Jesse: Vision Of A Queer West

“Visibility, to us, is about recognition and representation. It means ensuring that diverse experiences and identities are acknowledged, honored, and seen in our shared cultural narratives. It’s about being seen and understood” – New York photographers Allie Leepson and Jesse McClary have been long-time contributors to our Visible Love exhibition series and we are very happy to have their ongoing series, ‘Vision of a Queer West’ as part of our printed magazine. “For Visible Love this year, we’ve shared images from a diverse range of subjects. These include a drag queen in rural West Texas, a cowgirl settling into her brand-new ranch, a calf roping contestant in her late 60s, a dedicated horse trainer and rodeo athlete proudly descended from a Rodeo Hall-of-Famer, and a rancher who emigrated from India to New Mexico, captivated by the allure of the western lifestyle. As we face a troubling rise in anti-trans and homophobic legislation in the US, ‘Vision of a Queer West’ stands as a counter-narrative, restoring the LGBTQ+ community’s rightful place within American culture and history.”

Photography Allie Leepson & Jesse McClary