Cumberland, Maryland was once “The Queen City,” a hub of industry and culture in Appalachia, a region known for its Bible Belt conservatism and Rust Belt work ethic. But with the gradual departure of industry, the region slowly descended into economic stagnation and cultural decline.
But flowers are growing in the cracked pavement: the local queer community has banded together to create a thriving drag scene, and—against all odds—built the largest Pride movement in the region, even as a growing backlash against drag queens has emerged across the United States. "The Queens of Queen City” is a documentary project exploring the courage, risks, and repercussions of openly expressing LGBTQ identities in rural, conservative America.
Join photographer Michael O. Snyder for a presentation and Q&A on this long-term project, which has garnered acclaim from across the photo world.
Bios
Michael O. Snyder (@michaelosnyder) is a photographer and filmmaker documenting the climate crisis and related social-environmental issues. His work has been featured in National Geographic, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. Snyder is a Pulitzer grantee, a Climate Journalism Fellow at the Bertha Foundation, a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, and an Assistant Professor of Visual Communication at Syracuse University's Newhouse School.
Images: © Michael O. Synder
