Above:
Jayden by Cooks Photography
-See More Below-
~Check out today's BIRTHDAYS HERE:~
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Instagram's That Inspire: Hanson Gobron
' I think Trans men are expected to prove they are man enough, even more than cis men are. We have to prove to the “public” that we were in-fact born in the wrong body.'
I noticed that activist and model Hanson Gobron posted this month on Instagram for the first time since the election. November's results were a gut punch for many of us, but I can only guess especially so for members the trans community. Trans people were used and abused by the Republican party, and it went way beyond just their 'rights.'
Although I understand there may be complicated views on trans athletes, the numbers are so small, it's not an issue that impacted most voters. It was an issue so clearly used to stoke hate and bigotry and yet another of the idiot emperor's attempt to otherize and stir the many 'isms' his followers love to hate and obsess.
I was also saddened by how so many people, some whom I respected, jumped on the bandwagon of hate. Even people who should know better, (Martina Navratilova) were spreading hate. I had a great deal of respect for Navratilova until seeing some of her posts about Transgender athletes. It wasn't her stance, it was how she voiced it. It's one thing to have conflicting opinions about trans athletes, but she, like so many, (Patricia Heaton....) went the root of 'othering' instead of sticking to the issues. As someone who has been 'othered', Navratilova should know better. She's chirping in with a choir whose members include people who don't think of her as a 'woman', or worthy of the same rights as they have due to her sexuality.
When Hillary lost, it took me awhile to shake the pit in my stomach. When Kamala lost his year, I had the same pit, but this time decided I would not a man with behavior and mindset of a spoiled five-year-old, have further control over my emotions. I'm not trans however, and like we all have from time to time, last year they needed their allies more than ever. Unfortunately, their allies weren't enough to push back on the hate.
The last two elections for me weren't about Republicans and Democrats, or even really about politics. If anyone really thinks any Republican politician really cared about trans people and bathrooms you most likely voted for them. It, and so many others, (they're eating the cats and dogs) were all about hate. I'm still not convinced the economy or the price of eggs had anything to do with most votes Last year's election really wasn't about issues, it was about decency and respect. the country, and the world really, brilliantly failed the assignment.
I'm guessing this was especially tough for someone like Gobron , someone who made the decision to share the challenges of transitioning in today's world. As much as I enjoy the images Gobron posts, I always key into his comments, which always have me not only thinking, but wondering if I'd have the strength if in the same position. Some days I think yes, other days I'm sure it would be no. It took me over 20 years to 'officially' come out and all I had to do was verbally state it. Members of the trans community have to so much more and Hanson Gobron more than meets the challenge.
FaVorites: Laith Ashley
FaVorites:
Next 2 shots by VadellaPhoto
Laith by Aaron Jay Young
'It’s not that I hated my body—I just didn't feel comfortable in it. But once I learned who I truly was inside and I realized I was able to make a change.'
Laith by Simmoneau Visuals
Visible: Dee & Jayden by Cooks Photography
'We have to remain visible. They have to see us, they have to know that we’re not going anywhere.'
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
As you've already undoubtably already surmised, today's focus is spotlighting trans models and performers. I wasn't initially aware that this past March 31st was the International Transgender day of visibility. When I saw so many people that I follow on social media mark the day, I decided I too wanted to celebrate the T's of the lgbtqia2s+ community. I was going originally planning on featuring on trans models on July 4th, but instead decided to wait, and ensure the focus was singular and clear. Although today's posts are themed, I'm also planning to feature trans models and performers on a regular basis in the future.
As many of you remember, I really struggled with celebrating the 4th this year. Despite my love of America, it's truly shocking to me to see in the year twenty twenty five, the rise of cruelty, hate, racism and othering. I maybe naive, but I truly believed up until 2016 we were moving forward. Slowly, very slowly in many ways, but forward. It's truly gut wrenching to me to watch the reversal, and to see so many people supporting the othering of their fellow human beings.
Thanks to the orange anus, every type of 'ism' has been dragged back to the surface. Why anyone thinks they can use the rights of other human beings to further their thirst for power is beyond me. We all watched it play out before. We learned, or should have learned from history how almost every group of people, with the exception of rich white men, have been used and abused.
I could write pages and pages about my disgust for the way the current occupant of the White House has used cruelty and stupidity to stoke bigotry and hate. I went back and forth on whether to refer to the idiot at all, but sadly, he and his party are responsible for reigniting so many fires. During last year's election campaign, trans rights were grabbed, used and violated in the pursuit of power.
When I thought of celebrating members of the trans community, there was one photographer I knew I had to reach out to first. Some of you may remember Jayden from a small piece I did featuring his work with Hal from Cooks Photography a few years ago. I went back to Hal, asking for more from his work with Jayden, and also asked if he's work with any other trans models.
As you can see, he had, this time with Denise. (Dee). Since Jayden transitioned to male, I loved the visual contrast with Dee, who transitioned to female. With FH having a focus on the male form, I did initially question whether I should include Dee. In the end however, I decided it was important to feature both Jayden and Dee. I'm also not one of those guys who recoils at female genitalia and my first sexual experience was with my high school girlfriend. It wasn't unpleasant at all, we both laughed through most of it. If I had to put it into one word, it would be unfulfilling.
As a gay male, like so many of you I'm sure, there were so many struggles, especially when I was a kid, and through the process of growing up. Most of these struggles however, were not visible to others. They were internal battles, ones I had the luxury to hide, and keep secret when things got rough. So many of them occurred in private, when alone in my bedroom, in our family bathroom. So many of my struggles were mental, and the many epic mind battles which took place in my brain.
I'm in awe at the courage and strength of both Dee and Jayden and everyone who struggles without the option of being able to hide. So many of us take for granted the option to retreat when things get rough. To choose to be visible, when it's so much safer to remain hidden, is a choice based not on options, but on necessity. Their transitions went far beyond self-acceptance and required physical changes to connect their bodies with their mind and their souls. I'm so grateful they chose to step in front of Hal's lens, and that Hal shared their visual journey with FH.
How did you connect with Dee?
I met Dee at the agency where I worked, there was also a Transgender program located within the agency.
How did you connect with Jayden?
Jayden was married to one of the volunteers at the Gay Youth where I also volunteered.
Had either modeled before?
I don’t think so, I think this was their first time modeling, and posing nude.
Did you mentally prepare any differently to plan for shooting a trans model?
Yes! I had no idea what I’d do until they arrived. All I knew was that I probably wouldn’t be using my usual poses. I primarily work with male models, and have certain poses I like to shoot. I had to start almost from scratch, especially with Dee.
What do you remember most about shooting Dee?
She was very easy going and had no issues with showing off her body.
What do you remember most about shooting Jayden?
He was funny, but reserved. Not embarrassed, just wasn’t as outgoing as Dee.
Do you remember if they were nervous, or eager to show off their physical changes?
Dee was a total free spirit and had no problem at all posing for me. Jayden was more reserved and came with his girlfriend at the time. You can see her hands covering his genitalia.
Were they happy with the final images?
I loved them, and for the most part they did as well. yes. Jayden however, didn't love the pics where you could clearly see where surgery had taken place on his nipples. His girlfriend loved them and said, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of him. He’ll be fine!”
Did either discuss their experiences with being trans, especially in regards to modeling nude?
Not really and I didn’t ask. Well, I did ask Dee, “How do you hide that thing?” Lol
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)