Straight Celebs Pose as Loving Gay 'Imaginary Couples' to Fight Homophobia
| 01/25/16
Imaginary Couples by Olivier Ciappa
Photographer Olivier Ciappa started his "Imaginary Couples" photo series several years ago to address homophobia at a time when his native France was plagued by anti-gay protests leading up to the inevitable legalization of marriage equality. He shot straight celebrities including Eva Longoria and singer Lara Fabian, as well as a number of other actors, athletes and entertainers portraying positive images of same-sex couples.
"The celebrities that I shot are heterosexual, but it was essential to me that you would believe these imaginary couples and families they portray were real," Ciappa told The Huffington Post. "If you couldn't identify with their love and feel it was real, then I would have failed. And to show that love is love, no matter who [is involved], the exhibition also features real gay families, straight ones, single parents, disabled, people of different skin colors and origins, different religion, young couples, old ones... All of these pictures, imaginary or real, have the same glamorous and warm monochrome style that makes them look not only appealing but timeless."
Despite being vandalized in Paris, the exhibit proved a big hit, traveling the world over and is tentatively scheduled to make its way to the U.S. this year, possibly Los Angeles. Click through the gallery to see some of the stunning portraits.
All Photos | Olivier Ciappa (via Huffington Post)
Imaginary Couples
Actress Eva Longoria and singer Lara Fabian
Imaginary Couples
Imaginary Couples
The photographer and his partner
Imaginary Couples
Gymnast Samir Ait-Said and paralympic champion Jean-Baptiste Alaize
Imaginary Couples
Actors Francois-Xavier Demaison and Antoine de Caunes
Imaginary Couples
Actors Jean-Paul Rouve and Elie Semoun
Imaginary Couples
Imaginary Couples
Actors Kyan Khojandi and Kheiron
Imaginary Couples
Directors Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club) and Denis Villeneuve (Sicario)
Imaginary Couples
Singer Jenifer and actress Vahina Giocante
Imaginary Couples
Swimmers and brothers-in-law Florent Manaudou and Frederick Bousquet
Imaginary Couples
Imaginary Couples
Actors Nicolas Duvauchelle et Guillaume Gouix
Imaginary Couples
Imaginary Couples
Actresses Elodie Varlet and Dounia Coesens
Imaginary Couples
Olympic gymnasts Benoit Caranobe and Thomas Bouhail
Imaginary Couples
Feminist activists Thereze Clerc and Monique Issele
Imaginary Couples
Imaginary Couples
Actresses Rebecca Hampton and Nadege Beausson-Diagne
