21 Photos of the Pride Warriors of Vicenza

A small military base in Italy celebrated Pride with the help of Caserma Pride and Vicenza Women of Color.

In the summer of 2019, this exhibit of photography called "Pride Warriors" went on display at a local art gallery in downtown Vicenza.

The exhibition displayed the beauty and diversity of LGBTQ service members along with their friends and families who support them. Each of the photographers considered gender and sexual identity an important and personal subject, so this event was also an opportunity to shed light on part of our community that is often marginalized and underrepresented by the media.

Organized by the Vicenza Women of Color and co-sponsored by Caserma Pride (local base pride chapter), the exhibit showcased the photographers Maria di Bianca Cavins, Giuliana Gabriela Swenson, Darian Matthews, and Neika M. Smith -- four American artists from the local Vicenza Military Community.

Their work focuses on LGBTQ military (active and veterans), students, and local Vicenza Italian residents. This exhibit examined Pride from a different perspective and commemorated LGBTQ history. It also provided a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of those who blazed the trail that made it possible to express sexual and gender identities openly and publicly. This is a journey worth sharing daily.

The event took place May 31 and June 1-2 at Cantiere Barche 14 in downtown Vicenza. It was free of cost and open to the entire community.