Open Studio

Curve Magazine (December 2004, Volume 14#8)

For some lesbians, family isn't always what it's cracked up to be, and never is that clearer than during the holidays. Who hasn't wanted to nod off while listening to her grandfather's favorite fishing story for the thousandth time or sought much-needed refuge from an array of whiney kids and overbearing parents? Photographer Jennifer Loomis is just the opposite. She has made a very happy living by photographing pregnant mothers-to-be for the past 12 years and she's recently moved into a new arena: documenting the lives of lesbian and gay families. Loomis' traveling exhibit We are Family features 11 queer couples and their children. Loomis, who challenged society's view of beauty with her maternity photos, says she now wants to "challenge and redefine their view of family" through her pictures of lesbian families. She says there is a universal feeling of love among queer families and her goal is to "photograph [that] feeling."

And photograph it she has. The participants range from Jordan, a gay fitness trainer, embracing his pregnant, straight daughter, Amanda, to Michael and Richard Butler (who filed a lawsuit against Adoption.com for discriminating against same-sex couples) holding their baby daughter, Emily. Meant to be timeless, the pictures were taken in black and white with the family members seminude or wearing solid colors.

In addition to several West Coast exhibitions, some of the photos will be used in a new training video to educate judges on new domestic-partnership rights. Next up for Loomis? A documentary featuring a lesbian friend trying to have a baby.

— Shannon Clawson