Straight stars pose as gay couples in bid to tackle homophobia
A thought-provoking new photography project captures a host of international celebrities posing as same-sex couples.
The photographer behind the exhibition says he hopes to provide positive images of same-sex families in order to eradicate stereotypes and show that “love is love.”
The series – called ‘Imaginary Couples’ – was put together by French artist and photographer Olivier Ciappa.
So far, the photographs have been shown in galleries and cities across Europe and South America.
The images feature stars such as Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria posing with singer Lara Fabian.
‘Sicario’ director Denis Villenueve is shown in another image in a touching pose with ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ director Jean-Marc Vallee, while a third shows two French Olympic swimmers showering together.
Ciappa says he found his inspiration for the project after encountering homophobic attitudes across the world – particularly in his home country – where the exhibition was vandalised and stolen when first displayed.
“The celebrities that I shot are heterosexual, but it was essential to me that you would believe these imaginary couples and families they portray were real,” Ciappa told The Huffington Post.
“If you couldn’t identify with their love and feel it was real, then I would have failed.
“And to show that love is love, no matter who [is involved], the exhibition also features real gay families, straight ones, single parents, disabled, people of different skin colours and origins, different religion, young couples, old ones.
“All of these pictures, imaginary or real, have the same glamorous and warm monochrome style that makes them look not only appealing but timeless.”
Ciappa hopes ‘Imaginary Couples’ will be shown in the United States later this year.
