Coming on the heels of a blue wave in the 2026 midterm elections, which saw Democrats reclaim control of Congress and LGBTQ+ candidates make history across the country, photographer Ron Amato's new portrait series is a timely reminder of the people and families at the heart of the fight for equality.
Titled Queer Love, the series celebrates the beauty, love, and resilience of LGBTQ+ couples and families, some of whom have spent decades together. Through 40 striking black-and-white portraits, Amato puts a human face on the rights that continue to face political and legal challenges, even as the election results bring new hope for LGBTQ+ Americans.
The project began in the fall of 2025, when Amato heard that Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015, was asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark ruling that established marriage equality nationwide. Although the justices ultimately declined to hear her appeal, Amato worried that the court could overturn marriage equality, just as it had to Roe v. Wade.
"The constant political attacks on queer people are, in many ways, louder and more insistent than they were in 2015," Amato wrote in his artist statement. He recalled thinking at the time, "The humanity behind these decisions is completely ignored."
That thought inspired him to begin photographing LGBTQ+ couples and families, with the goal of showing the real people behind these political debates. Inspired by the work of photographer Yousuf Karsh, Amato wanted the portraits to look as natural as possible while capturing the beauty and emotion in each person's face.
"I wanted everyone to see the lives these people lived written on their faces," Amato explained.
As the project grew, the portraits became a celebration of love, joy, and persistence. Some of the couples are just beginning their lives together, while others have spent decades building a life with the person they love, regardless of whether their relationships were legally recognized.
The exhibition opens November 11 at the Provincetown Commons in Massachusetts, featuring 40 portraits. The opening comes one year and one day after the Supreme Court declined to hear Davis's appeal on November 10, 2025. The exhibition runs through December 6, with an opening reception on November 13 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Take a look at 26 portraits from the series, along with the stories and reflections of the couples and families who participated.
Rob Compton and David Wilson
Rob Compton and David Wilson, plaintiffs in the Massachusetts marriage equality case Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Rob Compton and David Wilson have been together for 29 years and married for 22. They were among the plaintiff couples in the Goodridge lawsuit that established marriage equality in Massachusetts and married on May 17, 2004, the first day same-sex marriage became legal in the state.
"We were one of the plaintiff couples in the Goodridge lawsuit in Massachusetts so we legally got married on the first day it was legal - May 17, 2004," they recall. "We had the first legal church wedding at Arlington Street Church that morning."
Christine McCarthy and Evette Ramirez
Christine McCarthy and Evette Ramirez, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Christine McCarthy and Evette Ramirez have been together for 21 years and married for 17.
"When we were pronounced legally married in 2009, it was a statement we never thought we would hear in our lifetime," the couple recalls. "In these uncertain times, it is essential that the protection of this right be upheld. Being included in Ron's project is a beautiful and creative way to showcase diversity and inclusion."
David Couture and Pasquale Natale
David Couture and Pasquale Natale, featured in Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
David Couture and Pasquale Natale have been together for 24 years.
"Having you document the near ending of a long glorious bumpy road together for David and I is one of the icings on this cake we have been layering for years," they share. "Thanks Ron for your ongoing commitment to documenting all kinds of Queer life."
Myra Kooy and Kate Wallace Rogers
Myra Kooy and Kate Wallace Rogers, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
Myra Kooy and Kate Wallace Rogers are featured in Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Matt Radford and Cass Johnson
Matt Radford and Cass Johnson, featured in Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Matt Radford and Cass Johnson have been together for 24 years and married for 15.
"Love comes in many different ways and we are proud to help represent a subculture within the community that is often hidden or unacknowledged," they share.
Stephen Walker, Patrick Wilson, and Theo
Stephen Walker and Patrick Wilson with their son, Theo, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Stephen Walker and Patrick Wilson have been together for 10 years and married for seven. They are pictured with their son, Theo.
"It means a lot to be seen by my community as part of it, even if it isn't the most commonly represented image in the gay community," the family's statement reads.
John Von Mohr and Carlos Jimenez
John Von Mohr and Carlos Jimenez, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
John Von Mohr and Carlos Jimenez have been together for 12 and a half years and married for six.
"Growing up knowing marriage with another man was not a possibility programmed us to not want it," the couple shares. "When it became a possibility in the US, there was no question we were going to do it and we'll defend our right any time someone tries to take it away."
Debbie Nadolney and Susan Goldberg
Debbie Nadolney and Susan Goldberg, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
Debbie Nadolney and Susan Goldberg have been together for 15 years.
"Personally, I'm happy to be part of a documented record of queer history," Goldberg shares. "I grew up, came out, and felt I was not part of something. I felt like I'd never belong anywhere. At 70, I'm proud to be queer, am happy in my relationship, and I'm VERY happy to be included in this."
Frank Vasello and Nathan Butera
Frank Vasello and Nathan Butera, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Frank Vasello and Nathan Butera have been together for 14 years and married for eight.
"We believe it's important to be seen. More than ever," the couple shares. "As husband and husband. Unambiguously. There we are. Two married men. Undeniably in love. For the world to see. But also for us to see. Such validation. What an incredible gift."
Kristen Becker and KT Fitzgerald
Kristen Becker and KT Fitzgerald, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
Kristen Becker and KT Fitzgerald have been together for eight years.
"In a world full of negative attacks on the queer community, authentic representation of Queer humans simply loving one another is powerful resistance," the couple shares.
David Drake and Thom Markee
David Drake and Thom Markee, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
David Drake and Thom Markee have been together for seven years.
"For many years, we've both loved Ron's photography. Always such beautiful, elegant, intimate visions," Drake shares. "So, to be part of his mission to capture romantic partnerships in Provincetown is such an honor. And while I can't believe we are even saying such things in 2026 after decades of fighting hard-won battles for our rightful place in the world, but considering the potential dangers that open expressions of queer love can provoke in our current socio-political climate, even participating in Ron's project feels like a necessary act of claiming space. And we're proud to step into this project on all counts."
Tamora and Dean Israel
Tamora and Dean Israel, featured in Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Tamora and Dean Israel have been together for three years and married for one.
"It is a great honor to be a part of this project," the couple shares. "To show lesbian love in an everyday beautiful light. Our love is like all other love. We want to showcase our normal lives and make being queer and lesbians normal and boring."
Lorraine Kujawa and Elaine Anderson
Lorraine Kujawa and Elaine Anderson, pictured with a dog for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Lorraine Kujawa and Elaine Anderson have been together for 39 years and married for 23. They are pictured with a dog.
"We are grateful to be recognized in our 39th year together," the couple shares.
Taylor and Jules Sloan-Cullen
Taylor and Jules Sloan-Cullen, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Taylor and Jules Sloan-Cullen have been together for seven years and married for three.
Stephen Syta and Joerg Dressler
Stephen Syta and Joerg Dressler, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Stephen Syta and Joerg Dressler have been together for 27 years and married for 12.
"When we came out as young men family members and friends doubted we would ever have a long term relationship because 'gay men are incapable to love'," the couple recalls. "We feel this project is celebrating our humanity, our commitment and love for each other rather than reducing us to preconceived notions of a homosexual 'lifestyle'."
Nathan Halsey and Tommy Wiles
Nathan Halsey and Tommy Wiles, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
Nathan Halsey and Tommy Wiles have been together for 11 years.
"We're happy to be part of a project that puts faces to something people too often treat as a political debate," they explain. "For us, it's our life together, the fun, the challenges, and being there for each other. We hope people see a little of their own relationships in ours."
James Connors and Robert Rindler
James Connors and Robert Rindler, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
James Connors and Robert Rindler have been together for 50 years and married for 21, according to Ron's spreadsheet.
"We first met and immediately fell in love in Vermont in 1977," the couple recalls. "We have been together forever since. Being able to celebrate our lives and love openly for so many years is a gift we share and cherish."
Angel Hueca and Jonathan Swain
Angel Hueca and Jonathan Swain, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Angel Hueca and Jonathan Swain have been together for 17 years and married for 10.
"This image invokes the security of our relationship and at the same time the uncertainty in a moment," the couple shares. "Our life together, our relationship, was very real before and after legal marriage equality existed. Being part of this project is a reminder that despite challenges, there is security, together, in our community."
Marian Roth and Mary DeAngelis
Marian Roth and Mary DeAngelis, who married on the first day same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts, photographed for Queer Love.
Ron Amato
Marian Roth and Mary DeAngelis have been together for 42 years and married for 22. They recall hearing that Massachusetts had legalized same-sex marriage while driving to Boston for a medical appointment.
"We both thought getting married was way too bourgeois, but we were driving up to Boston to meet my breast cancer surgeon when they announced on the radio that the court declared marriage legal in Massachusetts," they recall. "Then it felt like we were being given a right and it would be more revolutionary to stand up and be counted. So we got married in Provincetown on the first day it was legal."
Barbara Prato and Gerry Brennan
Barbara Prato and Gerry Brennan, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Barbara Prato and Gerry Brennan have been together for 34 years and married for 22.
"It means the world to be a part of this project," they say. "To be able to be celebrated during a time when we are being villainized in the current political climate is amazing. Showing the humanity behind the propaganda is an excellent use of your talents. Thanks once again as the artists usually lead the way."
Jeff Krehely, John Mainella, and Michael Pettry
Jeff Krehely, John Mainella, and Michael Pettry, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Jeff Krehely, John Mainella, and Michael Pettry have been together as a throuple for six years. John and Michael have been together for 18 years and married for 11.
"As a throuple, we don't often see ourselves reflected in LGBTQ spaces, let alone broader representations of families in the United States," they share. "To be part of this project makes us feel part of something larger and also hopefully helps other non-traditional families feel good about themselves and, ultimately, seen."
Kevin Bernier and David Henriques
Kevin Bernier and David Henriques, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Kevin Bernier and David Henriques have been together for 32 and a half years and married for 11. They reflect on the loss of so many LGBTQ+ elders to AIDS and the importance of representing long-term relationships.
"As a long-term couple, visibility matters," they explain. "Being part of the generations that lost many of our elders to AIDS, there are very few examples of folks who have remained together 'through thick and thin.' We have had our challenges but continue to choose each other, and love sharing our lives with others."
Jill and Casey Cormier, with Brooklyn and Parker
Jill and Casey Cormier with their children, Brooklyn and Parker, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Jill and Casey Cormier have been together for 18 years and married for 15. They are pictured with their children, Brooklyn, 12, and Parker, 10.
"Visibility matters," the family shares. "We chose to participate because we believe that representation challenges assumptions, fosters understanding and acceptance, and cultivates a sense of belonging. Queer families are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, and this project is a visual celebration of just that."
Byllye Avery and Ngina Lythcott
Byllye Avery and Ngina Lythcott, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Byllye Avery and Ngina Lythcott are featured in Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ryan Landry and Scott Martino
Ryan Landry and Scott Martino, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love series.
Ron Amato
Ryan Landry and Scott Martino have been together for 31 years and married for 18.
"We are honored to be included as we both love Ron's work," the couple shares.
Joe Cacciola and Tom Trykowski
Joe Cacciola and Tom Trykowski, photographed for Ron Amato's Queer Love portrait series.
Ron Amato
Joe Cacciola and Tom Trykowski have been together for 38 years and married for 22.
"We are honored to be part of a project that honors our commitment to each other and shows everyone who sees our faces that our love deserves to be recognized and celebrated," the couple shares.
