Happiness Is…

*trigger warning: mention of violence

Hello friends, I bring you tidings and good news this blog post, which is a pleasant change from the previous. December can be a mixed bag of emotions if you are part of the rainbow community, with large numbers of us estranged from family (not to mention the violence).

For me, this December started off with a visit to South Australia/ Kaurna country to visit my ma and aunt and were able to sneak in some time with my cousin and his family and reconnect with them. I am pleased to report that my ma is doing surprisingly well after her fall and month-long stay in hospital from knee-replacement surgery and subsequent complications. This is a huge relief to me. She also surprised me by not referring to my past self in the feminine; listened to me speak about Palestine and the other atrocities happening across the globe and in our own country; and never uttered the phrase “I’m not racist, but…”. I waited for these things to occur and am still pleasantly in shock that she seems to have changed her ways for the better.

Whilst in town, we also made time for friendly catch ups, and I was able to get to the Karrawirra Parri to photograph it for sunset.

View from the pedestrian bridge over the Karrawirra Parra, South Australia

You’ll have to excuse the mobile phone picture; I have stopped editing photos to concentrate on my upcoming Gala Exhibition Opening (more on that later).

In fact, my last photography adventure with my support worker was on the 7th of December to Point Leo, lands of the Bunurong people. All the images are on my hard drive, screaming at me to make joyous, however I have no time. Here’s a behind-the-scenes mobile image that I didn’t take with my camera.

Point Leo Beach, Victoria

On the 9th of December I had the pleasure of photographing the annual Carols by Queerlight celebration by the Melbourne Rainbow Band. As this was for a client, I can show you one of the images I produced of the night.

The featured singers performing with the Melbourne Rainbow Band, St Kilda Town Hall

Mainly what I worked on in December was my Gala and trying to acquire funding through the Australian Cultural Fund project. I have happy to say that with your generous support, I reached just over halfway to my target finances. Whilst this is amazing news, it does mean that I will be spending all my new waterproof camera savings to finance the rest.

Unfortunately, that means no camera upgrade for me until possibly after Midsumma (February). This is a shame, considering I am an official Midsumma photographer and wanted the upgrade to produce better work and do less post-editing to make up for the lack of quality of my current camera.

Therefore, if you know of anyone who loves art and photography, who would like to be a financial benefactor to a queer, neurodivergent, disabled trans man, let them know I am in need. To be completely transparent, here is what I am requiring, with the camera body the most urgent, then the lenses. As I am upgrading from what is called a “crop sensor” to a “full frame” camera, most of the lenses that I have will unfortunately also need to be replaced eventually.

Screenshot of the equipment I require from the cccwarehouse website.

I have also been working on my health – putting back all the naps, listening to my body, and I finally received my nerve root injection at the C4/5 vertebrae (in the top of the neck), and it seems to have actually worked which means the arthritic pain has substantially subsided.

Then I went to Yass/land of the Ngunnawal & Wiradjuri peoples, to visit my sister and her three amazing children. The oldest is 17, the youngest 9, and they are dealing with the fact that their father is an abusive douche. Their father reminds me of my own father and fortunately I was able to let them know that it gets better and that the emotions they are experiencing now, can be healed. I am so immensely proud of them all, especially my sister and despite hearing of the abuses she suffered, which were triggering for me to hear due to my own past, we were able to love each other’s company and I hope she will love herself enough in the future to embrace her own healing. Five days with my family is never enough.

The good news is that my Gala Exhibition Opening is ready to go for the 25th of January at the Victorian Artists Society. Being their first queer, trans solo artist is immensely humbling, so I want this Gala to be sensational – you can help with that by attending and supporting the amazing artists who will be performing on the night. Absolutely free, including drinks and finger food. On my home page you will find links to the event and artworks. I will also be linking venue and event accessibility in the coming days.

My question for you this month: How much do you want this world to change? United we can make a difference.

Be kind to yourselves, each other, and the planet.

T.Leigh.

Official Image for The Reclamation of Terra gala exhibition/opening at Victorian Artists Society, East Melbourne, opening 6pm 25th January 2024. Image by Teague Leigh