Dramatic change in pronoun use is focus of top photographer

The dramatic change in language used by the LGBTQIA+ community over the past five years in New Zealand is being captured by an internationally-renowned photographer who hopes his research will reach everyone.

David K Shields, whose images have graced top magazines worldwide, has spent the last six months connecting with the community for his master's thesis with Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland.

A former jockey, Shields grew up in the rural South Island, identifying as gay and living through the AIDS pandemic, as well as the struggle that can still be seen today.

He says in the generations that have come since, particularly the past five years, pronouns are expanding and new terms such as “tey” or “tay” may take hold, while newer terms such as transfem and transmasc are replacing transgender, he says.

His research involves “conversations that identify gender, sexuality, and individual identity, between both younger and older generations".

Rob Finn, who grew up in similar times as Shields and says he doesn’t really understand the new language, will be part of a filmed conversation about language and identity.

"It’s a sub-culture and doesn’t define who I am”.

Finn said he grew up when AIDS was part of the narrative and people were just “gay”.

“Over the years and maybe age or acceptance of self and sexuality,” is more important he says.

Meanwhile Jamie has some knowledge of the changing terms that represent sex and gender.

She left high school in 2017, and the language was just starting to really become about identity.

Keeping informed has been difficult recently, “with the shifting language, it’s moving very quickly, but ultimately, respect of a person is the most important thing.”

Differing views and understanding has piqued Shields’ interest and he hopes that by exhibiting what he and Shaun Pettigrew have captured with photography and video conversations it will reach everyone.

He hopes to take the exhibition around New Zealand, with a focus on rural communities, to expand understanding, and acceptance as found with Aucklanders.

One of our best portrait photographers, Shields spent 20 years travelling the world to work as a fashion photographer with major magazines including Vogue Homme International, French Vogue, Dazed and Confused, Japanese and German GQ, Russian Tatler and Italian Marie Claire.