Michael Christopher Brown
American, b. 1978
Joseph relaxes in a bed at a friend’s home
May 14, 2013
Photograph
Magnum Photos, ID number NYC144291
Brown is part of greater twenty-first century movement in documentary photography that fosters closer relationships with participants to tell more nuanced stories. In this photograph, Joseph, who runs an LGBT organization called Rainbow Sunrise in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, relaxes in a friend’s home. He was forced to leave his own house after having been beaten and imprisoned by the police for “promoting” homosexuality. There are no visible signs of the effects of this violent encounter in the image, but the expression on Joseph’s face is somewhat sad and pensive. This photograph calls attention to the violence that is inflicted upon LGBTQ+ individuals, but it also highlights the existence of a supportive community. Joseph is taken in by a friend when his home is no longer safe, and the organization he runs fights for equal rights and builds community for LGBTQ+ people in the DRC.
Awondo, Patrick, Peter Geschiere and Graeme Reid. “Homophobic Africa? Toward A More Nuanced View.” African Studies Review 55, no. 3 (2012): 145-168. Accessed April 13, 2019. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43904852.
This article challenges the idea of a uniformly homophobic and intolerant Africa by examining debates around homosexuality within the continent.
Mayes, Stephen. “Toward a New Documentary Expression.” Aperture, no. 214 (2014): 32-35. Accessed April 13, 2019. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24474926.
This article looks at the development of documentary photography and how photographers such as Michael Christopher Brown are shifting the way it is used to tell stories.
Mbaru, Monica, Monica Tabengwa and Kim Vance. “Cultural discourse in Africa and the promise of human rights based on non-normative sexuality and/or gender expression: exploring the intersections, challenges and opportunities.” In Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights: (Neo)colonialism, Neoliberalism, Resistance and Hope, edited by Nancy Nicol, Adrian Jjuuko, Richard Lusimbo, Nick J. Mulé, Susan Ursel, Amar Wahab, Phyllis Waugh, 177-204. London: University of London, 2018. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv5132j6.14.\
This article examines the challenges and opportunities that exist in the quest for more tolerant legal and cultural practices towards LGBTQ+ people in Africa.
Caroline Daigle ’20
