‘Butch Is Not A Dirty Word’ is a photographic series exploring masculinity as embodied by queer individuals. It asserts Butch visibility, challenging cultural erasure and misrepresentation. Each image is a declaration—an unspoken dialogue between presence, posture, and gaze—embracing a masculinity that is quietly powerful and defiantly balanced.

Dominant narratives have framed Butchness as monolithic—white, tough, unyielding—erasing its depth and lived expressions. The subjects in this series challenge reductive definitions, revealing masculinity’s fluidity, shaped by race, culture, physicality, and experience.

Each portrait session begins with conversation, inviting subjects to reflect on their masculinity—not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically. These reflections guide the process, making each portrait a shared act of self-representation rather than mere documentation. I meet people where they are—stepping into their sanctuaries, spaces where they feel most themselves. In that intimacy, something unfolds—a dialogue of setting, conversation, shared identity, and trust. Together, we create more than an image; we shape a presence, a history, a truth.

Growing up in Australia, Butch identity felt invisible. There was no roadmap, no legacy in which to see myself. That changed upon my first visit to the West Coast USA, where Butchness was not just visible but celebrated— vibrant, contemporary, self-assured. In those spaces, I felt secure exploring my masculinity. But beyond them, where Butch visibility was scarce, my self-trust wavered. Seeing myself reflected in others deepened my confidence, but without that reflection, self-actualization felt tenuous. My ability to thrive was shaped by surroundings, leaving me caught between spaces. This disconnect was more than personal—it revealed a broader cultural erasure, a history of exclusion many had quietly endured.

Compelled to disrupt this pattern, I sought to create something that offered visibility independent of environment. What began as a zine printed in Melbourne in 2016 has evolved into a global photographic chronicle of Butch identities. For queer elders, this series provides long-overdue representation, carving out space within contemporary queer culture. For younger masculine-of-center queers, it offers a sense of legacy, connection, and belonging.

At its core, this series insists on visibility and reclaims space long denied. Through these portraits, Butchness emerges—not as a relic of the past, but as a thriving, evolving identity reshaping society’s understanding of gender. The work prompts reflection on masculinity—who claims it, how it is expressed, and by whom. At its most powerful, masculinity does not exist in opposition but in dialogue with the full spectrum of gender expression.

For exhibition, I intend to print and frame the work at 16x24 inches. This larger scale enhances the visual impact, allowing for rich detail while creating an immersive experience. The size is intentional—it ensures that each subject’s gaze meets the viewer directly, fostering an intimate yet powerful exchange. I want the audience to feel the presence of each individual, as if they are being seen just as much as they are seeing.