A new exhibition celebrating the lives, experiences and resilience of trans people has opened in Brighton.
Beyond The Binary – A Celebration of Trans Joy launched ahead of Trans Pride Brighton at the Ledward Centre on Jubilee Street, marking the first exhibition under the LGBTQ+ community venue's new leadership team, Billie and Ellie.
The free installation features a series of large-format window displays pairing portraits of trans individuals and community groups with personal stories and reflections. Designed to be accessible around the clock, the exhibition can be viewed from outside the building 24 hours a day, as well as from inside the centre's café during opening hours.
The project is the work of Proud Studios CIC and Brighton photographer Chris Jepson, and showcases members of organisations including Trans Pride Brighton, the Clare Project, Trans Can Sport, TReNBI FC, Misfits and Transkaters.
Organisers say the exhibition aims to highlight joy, community and visibility at a time when trans people continue to face intense scrutiny in political debate, legislation and media coverage.
Chris Jepson, photographer and director of Proud Studios, said: "Trans people are being talked about more than they're being talked to. This exhibition is my small attempt to redress that, stories told in the words and images of the people who live them, not the people arguing about them.
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"It feels right that this opens just in time for Trans Pride Brighton this weekend, a moment built entirely around trans people speaking for themselves. Joy is not naive in this climate, it's necessary. Every time we choose visibility over silence, we're saying that trans lives are worth celebrating, not just defending."
The Ledward Centre, which describes itself as Brighton's first LGBTQ+ community and cultural centre, will remain open throughout Brighton Pride weekend before returning to normal opening hours from 6 August.
The exhibition has previously been displayed at venues including Brighton's Jubilee Library and Plus X Innovation hub, as well as Google UK's King's Cross and St Giles High Street offices in London.
People unable to visit in person can view the exhibition online via the Proud Studios website.
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