For issue 4 of @typicalgirlsmag , I was comissioned to produce a series of photographs focusing on masculinity’s place in feminism. For this issue, I photographed Ry, a trans man and interviewed him about his experience with street harassment.
“Hello my name is Ry, he/they, trans boy. So over the summer I was headed out to meet friends at Coney Island for beers, sun, and fun. Pride had happened recently, and so I had a lot of rainbow clothes lying around, and wore a few clashing pieces of rainbow clothing and headed out for the day. I got to Eastern Parkway and noticed that people were avoiding a man on a bench. He was muttering to himself, and I figured if I walked on the edge of the sidewalk, I would get by, like everyone else had. As soon as I got near, I saw him turn and face me, his words growing louder and louder, before he got up and lunged at me, yelling the f-word, and beat me down into the sidewalk. I got away, and someone walked with me down the other side of the street. I had to go home because of a panic attack, and I had to go to the doctor. I've been called the f-word more times since then, and it sucks every time. The worst part is, every time I want to say I'm trans and gay! Get more accurate with your insults!” - Ry Burke