Divine humanity

Photos model trans folks as deities

TROY — In a year when 45 states have proposed anti-trans legislation ranging from youth sports bans to blocking gender-affirming healthcare and storytimes hosted by drag queens evoke outrage, authentic transgender, nonbinary and queer representation has gained heightened attention. Cafe Euphoria is curating its 2023-24 gallery season with this in mind.

This will be Cafe Euphoria’s second gallery season since opening in 2022. Last year, the transgender and nonbinary worker-owned cafe was able to spotlight 27 artists, said owner Atsushi

Akera. This year, over 20 artists submitted. From their work, the gallery panel will curate shows lasting two months, starting with a panelists show next month, opening to be announced, that supports queer, transgender and nonbinary artists and increases representation. Allies were welcome to submit work that fit this mission of visibility.

Among the artists who submitted is photographer Melissa Ann Argay, who shot portraits of transgender individuals as Greek gods and goddesses. She recently reconnected with photography after a period of illness and trauma, and met Akera a few years ago. The two became friends, and Argay, who is cisgender, began to spend more time around and connecting with the LGBTQ+ community.

While the trauma Argay experienced differs from that of some of the queer, transgender and nonbinary individuals who come to Cafe Euphoria, which has become a safe space for her, she was able to empathize.

“I can’t imagine what they’re thinking, or what it would be like,” Argay said. “But I think that sometimes being in front of the camera with anyone can help a person feel better about themselves. It’s a small piece, but

Photos by Melissa Ann Argay / Provided Above, Atsushi Akera is styled as Inara, the Greek goddess of wild animals. At left, model Peggy portrays Hermaphroditus, the intersex god of androgyny. Melissa Ann Argay shot both portraits as park of a Greek mythology series, inspired by the queer and gender expansive representation among Greek deities.