Character Self

I am interested in Cosplay as a medium for queer joy, especially in a political landscape that is so often hostile toward trans or gender-nonconforming people.

Character Self is a project documenting the lives and community surrounding queer and trans cosplayers. This project aims to explore their connections with each other and how communities filled with like-minded individuals provide for each other. For many, online and offline fan spaces provide a form of escapism from everyday life. Transforming into a favorite character can be an extension of this escapism, as well as an outlet for creativity.

The safety of stepping into a character can also open the door to self-discovery. For many queer and trans people, this freedom is what allows them to uncover and explore other parts of their identities. Finding not only the space to express oneself, but also to play and take joy in identity, can be a deeply liberating experience.