Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Volume 2

by Jeff Sheng, Patrick J. Murphy (Introduction), David Mixner (Introduction)

This is the 12" x 12" Hardcover Version, first released in September, 2010. 100-pages, full color, with an introduction by Congressman Patrick J. Murphy, and essays by Major Mike Almy and David Mixner. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Volume 2,” is the second photobook featuring the portraits and stories of closeted service members in the United States armed forces who are currently serving and affected by the laws that mandate the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-identified soldiers in the United States military. In 2010, American artist Jeff Sheng continued his photo series "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and flew over 70,000 miles back and forth across the country to photograph over 40 more service members at either their homes or local hotel rooms near where these individuals were stationed. An entirely self-funded and self-published project, the resulting publication features these new portraits from these photo shoots, along with selected anonymous e-mails detailing the experiences of these soldiers, many of whom have just returned from fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Don't Ask, Don't Volume 1," was been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Time and ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer. Jeff Sheng is a Los Angeles based artist who also teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His photographs have been published in the New York Times Magazine, Time Magazine, and Newsweek, his art work has been exhibited internationally including at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

316 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2015

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Brave. Inspiring. Beautiful. These are just four of the words I would use to describe this incredible photography book. I kept turning page after page of pictures of high school and college athletes from every possible sport and from around the United States and Canada who wanted to be seen as the powerful athletes they are rather than the stereotypes perceived by many. Along with the pictures, I was thoroughly engrossed in reading the story of Jeff Sheng and then three fellow athletes who all self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. It's an amazing book that deserves to be seen by all as it will surely shatter the image and place of the LGBTQ community within the athletic world.

For decades, it was always assumed that people who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, or bisexual had no place on the field, the diamond, the rink, the course, the pool, the track, or the court. Those men and women who did find themselves with a passion to hold a racket, throw a ball, dive into the water, block a goal, put on skates, or run a distance weren't made to feel welcome or had to hide who they truly were from teammates, coaches, family, and fans. The mental toll it took weighed heavily, often causing them to leave behind the sport they loved the most and the place that gave them the most peace of mind during the times when they were trying to find self-acceptance and figure who they authentically are.

Over the course of time, though, things have changed. Athletes from all sporting areas and ranging from the amateur to the professional have started to make their voices heard, have started demanding the equal treatment they deserve in society and in the sporting arena, as well as the respect they rightly deserve. They have also shouted to the world that the image you may have of gays and lesbians is narrow and simplistic. The 200 collected photos in this book surely back this up.

This book belongs in the libraries of high school and colleges everywhere as it provides a powerful message of belonging, hope, strength, power, and athleticism. It's truly a marvelous thing to see!