Photographer Landyn Pan and We Are Fluide are back for a new campaign that pays tribute to trans icons across the ages, from Marsha P Johnson to Hunter Schafer
Every year the end of March marks Trans Day of Visibility – a joyous celebration of the transgender community, and an important call to action to demand equality for all members. It’s as vital as ever to support the trans community right now in every way you can; whether that’s writing to your anti-trans lawmakers, joining local protests or donating to mutual aid funds.
To celebrate trans joy and the beauty of the community, make-up brand We Are Fluide has launched its second annual TDOV campaign. Once again teaming up with photographer Landyn Pan and chief creative officer Dev Doee, this year the brand has reimagined historical and contemporary trans icons in a series of poignant portraits. From activist and performer Marsha P Johnson to ballroom dancer Leiomy Maldonado and actress Hunter Schafer, each icon honoured was selected by the models as their own personal inspiration in their journey.
“Oftentimes the only coverage we see in the media of trans people is centred around transphobic legislation or the muder of trans people. It’s so important that trans youth has something to look forward to,” says Doee. “There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Our trans ancestors leave a mark on us and show how to support our community.”
Alongside Johnson, Maldonado and Schafer, actress and model Ajita Wilson and Lou Sullivan, activist and author of We Both Laughed in Pleasure, have been honoured in the shoot as people who have paved the way for those who came after and continue to inspire today. “In and out of my walking day, there’s a lot of erasure that goes on,” says Jewel Clarity Joywell, one of the models. “To step into a space to intentionally be seen in the way I want and need to be seen I think is very powerful.”
Check out the images in the gallery above. In addition to raising awareness, We Are Fluide is raising funds by donating 20 per cent of sales for the next two weeks to the Black Trans Femmes in the Arts collective. Customers will also get 20 per cent off with the code TDOV.
