LGBTQ+ art showcased in Troy LGBTQ+
1 it can help.”
While Argay has a master’s in theology and studied interfaith and ancient sacred religious texts, she hadn’t explored Greek mythology until recently, in part because of her Catholic upbringing. Reading the queer- and gender-expansive themes present in the myths inspired Argay to style the portraits after these gods. She thrifted scarves, which she felt were a genderless garment, to drape around the models. The setting is minimal, as is the costuming, to put emphasis on the individual.
“People looking at the photographs can see the person in their sort of natural state,” Argay said.
In one series, Akera is draped in a chiffon-like black scarf as Inara, goddess of wild animals, with a delicate string of pearls glistening on her neck. In another, Argay’s friend Peggy is styled as Hermaphroditus, the intersex god of androgyny, in white scarves that cast an ethereal glow around her.
“She has a really good eye, and she’s a really good photographer,” Akera said. “It’s artistic. It’s powerful. It’s inspiring. And so for members of the transgender
“I can’t imagine what they’re thinking, or what it would be like. 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 it can help.”
Photographer Melissa Ann Argay
community, the opportunity to be represented that way is just so incredible.”
Because the themed shows are still being organized from the artist submissions, dates for Argay and the other artists’ shows have not been set. The shows will rotate every two months and will be visible to anyone who comes by for a cup of coffee, drag brunch, open mic or space to work during the day.
The doors are open to everyone, Akera said, and getting more individuals to visit Cafe Euphoria, particularly those who don’t consider themselves part of the LGBTQ+ community, will only help increase visibility of those who are. It’s why the cafe is located in downtown
Troy and has large windows, which Akera feels comes with a risk, though she leans into a teaching a friend taught her.
“You build safety not by creating rules or anything that is antagonistic but by building community,” she said. “Once you build a strong community, then the safety comes in the presence and the numbers.”