In 2003, I began a photography project called “Fearless,” documenting high school and collegiate athletes who openly self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender and are “out” to their predominantly straight teammates and coaches.  Since then, I’ve photographed over 100 athletes across the United States and Canada for this series.

In 2006, I began exhibiting the project at various high schools and colleges as part of what I named, “Fearless Campus Tour.”  So far, the project has been seen at over forty college and high school campuses around the United States, as well as ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, and the 2009 International LGBT Human Rights conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.  This past February, “Fearless” was exhibited at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and in October, was part of Nike World Headquarter’s Coming Out Week diversity programming.

The project is still ongoing, so please contact me at jeffsheng@ jeffsheng (dot)com, if you are an athlete on a high school or college sports team that wishes to be photographed for “Fearless,” or would like more information about the project.  

                                                    - Jeff Sheng