Guest curated by Sophie Hackett

Join us at the Ryerson Image Centre for the opening reception of this exhibition on June 18, 5:30-8pm.

Mounted in celebration of WorldPride 2014, this exhibition addresses the importance of visibility, long tied to the campaign for greater acceptance of those in the gay community.

Representation of queer people in mass media outlets has undeniably increased over the last four decades, as have LGBT rights; and photography has played a key role in this. What

It Means to be Seen features a broad range of media, including photographs, video, and archival materials drawn from Ryerson University’s acclaimed Black Star Collection, and from prominent institutional holdings worldwide. Taken together, the selection allows viewers to see how the medium has historically been used (and misused) to make queer people visible, collectively and individually.

Image caption: Michael Abramson, Gay Liberation March, New York City, USA, June 25, 1971, gelatin silver prints. BS.2005.246343 / 151-346 and BS.2005.246385 / 151-388. The Black Star Collection, courtesy of the Ryerson Image Centre.

This exhibition is presented by TD Bank Group and organized by the Ryerson Image Centre in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Ontario and WorldPride 2014 Toronto.