Empress

" I have long lived with the inherent fear that my effeminate side

will stand in the way of breaking my barriers; norms set by society.

I have long lived with the idea that one should be ashamed of your effeminate

side and not show it at all. 

I have soon learned that being effeminate does not equate to being weak, 

and I have taught myself to stand up to even my toughest bullies; myself. 

I have since took it on as a personal goal to bend and break gender norms

at every turn, to create a world where I am comfortable with my own sexuality, 

despite what society thinks or says."

- Franco Mostert 25 October 2014

This is part of the internal monologue I had with myself while I was having 

the photoshoot. It is amazing how such a realisation can free you from restraints

you built yourself so you cannot get hurt, and in the process making yourself a prisoner

of unwanted and unneeded negativity. 

Therefor, it is only fitting that this shoot be called Empress. As the shoot went on, and

this internal monologue kept on, I grew stronger in my determination to shed all that negativity, 

let my true potential flourish and not be defined by what society sets as the norm. Slowly but surely, I am turning my pain into poetry. And to think, this shoot almost did not happen. 

I give you, Empress: