Are You Okay? Portrait Series

‘Are You Ok?’ is a portrait series that documents the experience of trans youth living in states facing anti-trans legislation during this incredibly dangerous moment in queer history.

These portraits feature trans and non-binary youth flanked by their abstracted supportive parents, as well as interviews where subjects speak about the violence and hatred that these laws create, balanced with an incredibly strong message of hope and survival.

Photographer's Bio:

Jesse Freidin was America's leading fine art dog photographer for the past 15 years, and now focuses his attention on elevating the experience of the LGBTQIA+ community through portraiture and interviews. His photography is part of over 150 private collections and has been exhibited in galleries nationally. His current series “Are You OK?” addresses the dangerous wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country in a passionate attempt to erase stigma and elevate the voices of those most affected. Jesse’s work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Inside Edition and more. He is the author of two books: When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them (Lerner Books 2020), and Finding Shelter: Portraits of Love, Healing and Survival (Lyons Press 2017).

Presented in partnership with Ames Public Library, the Teen Advisory Group, Ames Pride, and One Iowa. Sponsored by the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation.