Tech

These beautiful portraits of LGBT couples embracing will melt your heart

Melia Robinson

2016-03-11T16:07:00Z

love_wins_portraits_by_gia_goodrich_lgbt_marriage_noh8_wyatt_and_rainahz — Meet Wyatt and Raina. Gia Goodrich

When the US Supreme Court guaranteed a right to same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015, "Love Wins" were the words on everyone's lips. They're also the title of a new project by photographer Gia Goodrich, who found a way to capture the outpouring of love.

"I wanted to give something to these amazing couples to celebrate [the SCOTUS victory]," Goodrich tells Tech Insider. "I'm a photographer, so naturally, portraits came to mind."

Goodrich created a growing collection of portraits, showing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer couples standing in each other's arms.

Now, she's raising money on Kickstarter to turns the series into a book and public exhibition, in the hope of making these relationships "visible, normal, and accepted."

Each portrait session in Gia Goodrich's "Love Wins" series begins with a conversation. The couple shares their story.

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"More often than not, there are both tears and laughter," Goodrich says.

gia_goodrich_lgbt_gay_marriage_love_wins_portraits_behind_the_scenes_bts08 — Courtney and Amanda Gia Goodrich

The portraits are each inscribed with an anecdote from the chat.

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A few couples tell Goodrich that not everyone in their family knows or approves of their relationship.

lovewins_lgbtq_portraits_marriage_equality_gia_goodrich_volume2_dory_rosalyn — Dory and Rosalyn Gia Goodrich

Juan and Byron married shortly after the SCOTUS ruling. Their wedding was the first time Byron kissed his new husband in front of his father. "It was the best day of my life," he says.

lovewins_lgbtq_portraits_marriage_equality_gia_goodrich_volume4_Juan_Byron — Juan and Byron Gia Goodrich

Goodrich hopes that through exhibiting her portraits, she can raise visibility of loving LGBTQ relationships and foster understanding.

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Goodrich posts portraits to Facebook, where responses are mixed. Some commenters have called the project "disgusting" and "horrible."

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"When it happens, it just strengthens my resolve to make sure this project is a success and we bring this to the world," Goodrich says.

gia_goodrich_lgbt_gay_marriage_love_wins_portraits_behind_the_scenes_bts01 — Christine and Anne Gia Goodrich

"Love Wins" aims to raise $25,000 on Kickstarter to fund a photography book, a public exhibition, and possibly a nonprofit that would allow the exhibit to tour the country.

lovewins_lgbtq_portraits_marriage_equality_gia_goodrich_volume2_Keric_Levi — Keric and Levi Gia Goodrich

"One day, a little transgendered or gay child won't have to worry about being rejected or misunderstood," Goodrich says. "Instead, they will grow up knowing they're absolutely lovable."

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Photography