Photographs and interviews by Tair Adato

Harlan

Tair: And you’re from New York? Born and raised?

Harlan:I was actually born and raised more in Texas, I’ve been living here for the last two years though.

Tair: Okay and now you’re working for…or just for yourself? Or a nonprofit?

Harlan:This? This…I just came down to have fun with my friends today. (laughs)

Tair: So this is a flag that means—

Harlan:This flag…so this flag mean that I’m asexual, so it means that I don’t experience sexual attraction for people. Like, you know when you look at someone and you’re like “oh wow, they’re really hot” I just don’t really get that.

Tair: Have you ever been with someone?

Harlan:I’ve been with someone, just I don’t feel anything through it. And it’s usually pretty bad for the other person too, because I don’t get anything out of it, so then they feel bad.

Tair: So you’re trying to speak it up—

Harlan:Yes.

Tair: Trying to show people—

Harlan:Its acceptable, it is a thing, and you’re not broken. Because that’s usually the thing, it’s that people just think you’re not trying hard enough, and there’s just something wrong with you. But it is a thing, it’s a genetic thing, and we just want to make (people) more aware so that people are like “Oh! I understand! Me too!” and they feel more accepted by it.

Sivat

Sivat:I am Sivat Shane Casto, I’m from Oregon, I am trying to get top surgery, a surgery to remove my breasts, so that I can be more comfortable in my skin.

Tair: How much do you have already?

Sivat:I have about $20 to $30 in my account, but its about an $85,000 surgery.

Tair : Do you have family to help you, but can’t, or—?

Sivat:I don’t have any help, it’s just me.

Tair And what are you doing here in New York? Are you here especially for the parade?

Sivat: I just came for the parade, yes.

Tair: So how are you going to achieve your goal?

Sivat:I take art commissions to help pay for it. Uh…I’m taking donations for it, anything that can help me achieve my goal.