I think a serious social issue I would like to bring to the table is racism and black LGBTQ+ individuals who are discriminated against. Even in this growing age of understanding for one another there is still racism that festers in our communities, especially towards Black individuals within the LGBTQ+ community. This is important to me because:
- There are many black people in the LGBTQ+ community that are harassed everyday, myself included.
- Racism as a whole is a serious problem within the United States, and all over the world. The more we talk about it and stop pretending it’s not there, the better.
- Its not talked about enough how black LGBTQ+ members aren’t given the same value as other white members. Their seen more as outcasts and don’t get the same sort of help, even from other black individuals.
You can read more about it in this article: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbtq-rights/news/2021/07/13/501484/black-lgbtq-individuals-experience-heightened-levels-discrimination/
You have a great start here. You have picked a serious and important issue that you feel personally. And it is an issue that is getting worse.
Now the question is how to give it visual form. Simpler may be better. Think about who can model for you. I think you could take this in a few directions: use a LGBT+ person for a Mona Lisa or similarly famous painting.
One idea to show suffering might be a pieta. the sculpture by Michelanglo is probably the most famous. But you could work with a painting if you liked it better. You would need two people.
These are just suggestions. In the meantime, take a look at the work of Alex Webster for some inspiration:
https://www.alexwebsterphoto.com