During a time in our world where the support for the LGBTQ community is steadily growing, it was nice to sit down with fellow artist and collaborator, Rooney Roark. The visual merchandiser and lover of photography was happy to share his experiences and thoughts on gender fluidity.

The free-spirited artist has experienced his fair share of gender discrimination, especially while living in the midwest. Earning an art degree in the middle of all the hustle and bustle, Roark travels to a city campus daily. Something as uneventful as taking public transportation for others can be intimidating for him.

"Where I live, it's more traditional family. I feel like when I get on [the train], everyone is staring at me. I always think people are trying to figure out if i'm a guy or girl," he explains. 

Although androgynous and gender fluid individuals have received more media coverage－enter in the first Coverboy for Covergirl, James Charles－there is still uncertainty and mystery. 

"Gender identity is more than just for
queer people. It's not about sexual orientation."

"Gender identity is more than just for queer people. It's not about sexual orientation," Roark shares. 

It's about being comfortable in your own skin, and this is the message he is trying to spread. Roark is working to debunk this misconception by using his creative mind to portray men and women in unconventional roles.

Assigned to do a final project for his photo class, Roark took the challenge to heart. It was in this moment that his photo series, Pretty Boys, was born. Pulling his own inspiration from photographers Luke Austin and Robert Mapplethorpe, Roark wanted to combine all things masculine and feminine to showcase boys in a gentle yet graceful way.   

"I didn't want to photograph [men] the way males typically are," which is why he used pink and florals to give off the mood of femininity in the series.

"[It's] my favorite work I've done so far," he exclaimed. "I wanted to take pictures of boys because I never do that. I thought: why don't I contact boys that are gay? Take traditional views, blend them together, and create something new."

There was far more that went into the project than meets the eye－relatability, aesthetic, format, colors, and capturing the controversy.

Roark sees inspiration in everything. As a Fashion Business major and Photography minor, he has a consistent pool of inspiration to tap into. Vogue and Gucci are amongst his favorite sources for new concepts and ideas. The fashion magazine's love stories and the luxury brand's use of diverse models to tell their stories resonates with Roark. He appreciates that they both "understand there shouldn't be a distinction." 

The visionary shared that he has plans to do another photo series that features women in a "harsh and edgy way." He is invested in creating a new body of work that blurs gender lines and is full of originality.

"I want a series where you couldn't tell if it's androgynous," he says.

Well, his timing couldn't be anymore perfect! Society is finally starting to accept and welcome people of all walks of life. If this series will be anything like Pretty Boys, we have a lot to look forward to.

His message, perseverance, and inspirations make me happy to call Roark a friend. He is enjoying every moment of his junior year as the Co-President of an on-campus fashion association. The group meets weekly to discuss local networking and portfolio-building opportunities. If you're interested in collaborating with Roark, view his portfolio and contact info on Instagram. Be sure to follow him, because you won't want to miss out on what he does next!

Images by Rooney Roark