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Since I didn’t have a choice, I did just that.
In my experience, standing out and shining in ways that differed from the norm were frowned upon.
Inherently, as aqueer person, I was different from what society said was normal solely by existing.
No matter what I did, it wasn’t “accepted” because of who I was.
Courtesy Casey Clark
My identity wasnt celebrated and I definitely didnt celebrate myself.
When I was a child, I was obsessed with glitter and rainbows like many other girls.
I went to school with glitter hairspray and a rainbow backpack.
Chelsea Piers
It was fine and “normal” because I was a little girl.
That’s definitely not my style, but I followed along for the sake of fitting in.
Myrainbow butterfly clipswere replaced by beige barrettes.
Photographed by Luisa Madrid. Styled by TEAM JAPAN.
I abandoned my sparkly Limited Too tops in favor of plain old T-shirts.
However, when I entered college, I couldn’t do it anymore.
I was tired of hiding who I was and that’s when I took charge.
Photographed by Luisa Madrid. Styled by TEAM JAPAN.
With the help of glitter, I was able to be myself.
Glitter in nature attracts attention, is celebratory, and brings joy.
Those were all of the qualities that I was working tirelessly to hide.
Courtesy Brittany Johnson
I seldom ever celebrated myself or my identity.
The glitter allowed me to see and understand that it was okay to be different and stand out.
For once, I felt celebrated for being different and it felt good.
Logan Elizabeth Photography
I no longer work to hide who I am because Im proud of it and want to celebrate it.
Why not celebrate myself everyday with a few sparkles?
I’m not the only one for whom glitter has played a formative role in their life.
Photography by Bryan Clavel
Chelsea Piers
“I feel naked without glitter on my face in drag.
Being queer is about freedom of expression, so I wear glitter like a badge of pride.
Wearing glitter truly makes me feel like a shining star and so good about myself.”
Ducky Sheaboi
“Glitter was definitely the first form ofmakeup that I experimented with.
As a queer child growing up, it was always the narrative that I must ‘be a man.’
Sparkles aren’t considered masculine, but god did I want to shine as a child!
Photography by David Rhodes
Wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Brittany Johnson
“Glitter gets everywhere.
Even when you think you got rid of it, it remains.
Courtesy Becca Zavage
People love to say that the asexual spectrum shouldn’t be a part of the LGBT+ umbrella.
Janelle No.
5
“Glitter makes everything shine, including how you feel about yourself.
It all started with the first glimpse of glitter.”
Glitter is playful and a bit irreverent.
Becca Zavage
“Adding a bit of sparkle to a look has become a staple for me!
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