The coming out experience is a profound and poignant rite of passage for most, if not all LGBTIQ+ individuals. While there may be common themes and similar anecdotes among the various narratives, each person’s story is unique, deeply personal, and inherently powerful.

Outings is an experimental project by photographer Sanjeev Singh exploring the coming out narratives of various individuals from the LGBTIQ+ community through visual narratives. Held in conjunction with Coming Out Day on 11 October, this project also marks Sanjeev’s first solo exhibition.

A crucial component of the project is for subjects to recall a time and a space that had a significant influence or impact on their journey of self-acceptance. Subjects returned to these spaces or recreated them as symbol of reclaiming and owning it through a portrait photo session with Sanjeev.

Speaking from his personal experience, Sanjeev explains,

“Coming out is not a static, one-off event but a continuous journey that is constantly evolving and changing with time. For some, the experience gets easier and for others, it doesn’t. The portraits don’t necessarily explain the entire story but provide a glimpse into the person’s on-going journey.”

This project aims to feature the diverse voices within the LGBTIQ+ communities across Victoria, however it has only captured a sliver of the many wonderful stories out there despite much efforts to be all-inclusive. Sanjeev welcomes feedback and encourages people to collaborate on future projects to truly reflect the rich tapestry of narratives that exist in our communities.

Outings is a proud recipient of the City of Stonnington’s Arts & Cultural Grant 2019, and is also supported by Print 2 Metal and a host of individual backers through a crowdfunding campaign via the Australian Cultural Fund.

Stay in touch through the social media links below or contact Sanjeev directly here