Description:

American society is highly segregated, and it should come as no surprise that the American LGBTQ+ movement is mostly represented by White gays and lesbians. Black gays lack their own prominent voice or representation on a national level. Despite the support of prominent national, African American leaders like Obama and Oprah show for gay culture in general, many Black gays feel they do not provide a voice for their community. In communities, Black families may accept their children’s sexuality but not openly, compared to many White families who proudly accept their children’s sexual orientation.

In Washington, DC’s gay clubs African American often face discrimination. This can take the form of bogus dress codes or even charging significantly higher drink prices to Black people to discourage them from returning. In addition, many profiles on gay dating apps say, “no Blacks.”

To live freely, these men and women in “Truly Blessed” create their own venues to express their erotic lives. They gather at private parties organized in homes, restaurants or underground venues friendly to their lifestyle.

The Black Baptist Church is also notoriously intolerant of homosexuality, so the people you meet in “Truly Blessed” are also ostracized in the churches of their upbringing. To counter this, they established their own church, The Community Church of Washington, D.C., in Anacostia. Here, under the leadership of the Rev. Aaron B. Jones-Wade, PhD, they are fully accepted and worship freely. “Truly Blessed” takes the viewer into both realms, the erotic and the religious, juxtaposing the erotic freedom expressed at the private parties with the traditional solemnity of their church. Despite the striking visual contrast between these two realms they both embody the self-empowerment and determination of a wonderful community.

Release Date March 4, 2024

Details
Book Size: 8.25” x 10.25” x 1.18”
128 pages, 3 variant 1/2 cover book wraps
Cover: 300 gr Uncoated black paper + golden lamina
Cover Belt: 10/12 cm h 4/0 + silver plastic
Inside Pages: Paper premium coated matt 150 gr Print 2/2
OFFSET deep black+ Pantone Stitched volume
Edition of 500
ISBN: 9788894797220

Artist Bio: 

Chris Suspect is a street and documentary photographer hailing from the Washington, DC area. He specializes in capturing absurd and profound moments in the quotidian. His street photography work has been recognized internationally and has been exhibited in Miami, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Romania, Georgia, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.