Since I realized I was trans, I knew that being rejected by my family was inevitable. It's been about a year since my father formally decided to disown me and ex-communicate me almost completely. His version of devout Christianity just didn't have…

When I am walking home from my sorority chapter meeting on Sunday night, I pass by all of the church services happening in this building. I hear the large groups of voices, singing and observing their religion. I always knew that the Jewish community…

This image captures the essence of a halal restaurant, where adherence to Islamic dietary laws ensures that the food served meets the requirements of Muslim consumers. The absence of halal meat options on campus remains a significant concern for me.…

This is the concrete walkway that connects the English buildings to the rest of campus. I make use of it almost every weekday as I shuffle between my English classes in Lake Huron Hall and my history classes in Mackinac. It's invaluable to me, but it…

In Islam, observing dietary laws, particularly the consumption of halal meat, is fundamental. "Halal" refers to food that is permissible or lawful according to Islamic law. Halal food, prepared in accordance with religious guidelines, carries immense…

As a queer person, it's sometimes tough to find religious spaces that feel like they actually accommodate us for all parts of who we are. Finding a church community often means grappling with significant trauma and pain caused by such groups. As a…

I saw this LGBTQIA+ flag on a church when visiting Holland for the first time. I like how it shows that churches individually can decide to support the LGBTQIA+ community, which faces”, especially in the outer Grand Rapids area and within…

This photo was of a retreat with other Orthodox Christian college students from around the Midwest. This was a lovely retreat because I felt rather self-confident and secure in my own identity. When I looked at this puzzle, I realized each individual…

The Arboretum represents the most valuable thing the GVSU campus provides me: a space to learn, grow, and build communities. The Arboretum is essentially a park, a place for plants to grow and animals and students to congregate. It's simple places…

This poignant image depicts the tranquil moment of sunset, marking the time when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Despite the demands of classes, navigating through the dusk hours proves challenging as I momentarily leave…

My mother took this picture of me and my brothers in Salzburg, Austria. It was the last vacation we did as a family before I left for the United States, and it reminds me of the importance of family, as I have no family anywhere close to the…

That small red smudge is a cardinal that had been resting on the vine covered awning outside the Arboretum. I believe that if you create the space for beauty and love, then beauty and love will flourish. Even if some beautiful things are fleeting,…

This is my Chimarrão mug next to my backyard fireplace. Chimarrão is a indigenous tea from my home region of south Brasil. It's immensely popular and is often shared and passed around at parties and other gatherings. For me, it represents what I…

I love Judaism and practicing its core values, even if my traditional spiritual practice is lacking. I love the community and services. Being at GVSU, I am mostly removed from that community nowadays, mostly by my own choice. Photovoice made me…

Participating in the Kaufman Interfaith Institute's Photovoice project provided me with an invaluable experience. It offered a safe and welcoming space for discussing a sensitive topic like religion openly. Sharing my beliefs without fear of judgment…

Black and white photograph of a musical group performing on stage during a Jesus rock concert held outdoors in West Chicago, Illinois. Scanned from the negative.

Black and white photograph of a Jesus rock concert held outdoors in West Chicago, Illinois. In the photograph, a young woman is performing onstage in the background while a crowd of young people looks on while seated on the lawn, including a young…

Black and white photograph of a musical group performing on stage during a Jesus rock concert held outdoors in West Chicago, Illinois. Scanned from the negative.

Black and white photograph of a Jesus rock concert held outdoors in West Chicago, Illinois. In the photograph, a group of parked cars are seen on a lawn with a Volkswagen Beetle featured in the foreground with a message written on the trunk that…

Black and white photograph of a Native American gathering held at the abandoned Belmont Harbor Nike missile site in Chicago, Illinois. In the photograph, a woman is standing next to a chain link fence with multiple posters posted upon it in protest…

Black and white photograph of a group of Native Americans gathered on top of a hill at the abandoned Belmont Harbor Nike missile site in Chicago, Illinois. In June of 1971, this group of Native Americans and their supporters occupied the abandoned…

Black and white photograph of a group of young Native Americans gathered at the abandoned Belmont Harbor Nike missile site in Chicago, Illinois. In the photograph, a group of young people are standing and eating picnic food in the foreground, while…

Black and white photograph of a group of Native Americans gathered on top of a hill at the abandoned Belmont Harbor Nike missile site in Chicago, Illinois. In June of 1971, this group of Native Americans and their supporters occupied the abandoned…

Black and white photograph of a group of young Native Americans gathered at the abandoned Belmont Harbor Nike missile site in Chicago. In the photograph, a young couple and passengers in a parked car are seen gathered next to a building at the site,…