Arjun Dhawan

I rise out of anger; the kind masculinity teaches us to carry until it hardens. And my q***rness reshapes that fire into something else: a pulse, a performance, a freedom. Masculinity no longer feels like a cage but a stage, where I get to take what was meant to confine me and make it my own.

In a time when our identities, our expression, and our rights are being questioned—or actively stripped away—we’re still being called to rise. Not just as q***r people, but as champions of visibility, culture, and change. The pressure to be loud, polished, or front-and-center can be immense, but the truth is: rising up looks different for all of us. Some lead from the stage, others from behind the lens. Some give back quietly. Some hold space boldly. And all of it matters.

“Rise Up” is a portrait series centering six q***r creatives of South Asian and Asian descent. It’s a time capsule of presence, power, and vulnerability. It doesn’t shout—but it speaks volumes. Through these portraits, we honor the many ways we show up, survive, and shape the future—especially when simply existing is an act of resistance.

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Team:
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Photos 1 & 3 by 
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Midsummer reminder to love on your closest friends that are the furthest away 💕