Dogs and their Dykes: Highlighting the Bond Between Lesbians, Queers and their Pets

Created by South London natives, photographer Nessie Appleton and creative director Mari Howell, Dogs and Their Dykes is a documentary photo series that captures the connection between lesbians, queer people and their furry companions. For its creators, who are also a lesbian couple, the project is a way to diversify the representation of lesbians and queer people in photography. These photographs, which celebrate their bonds with their pets, are images that many people outside of the queer community can relate to as well. Hence, they help to humanize queer folk and assert their presence in everyday spaces.

At the same time, the project becomes a way to share how having pets has been known to help boost mental well-being for those in the queer community. In a survey done in the United Kingdom, almost all LGBTQ+ pet owners agree that their pets positively contribute to their mental health. This is because their pets help provide them with comfort during times of need, including helping them through discrimination bias and giving them a sense of family. This is why Dogs and Their Dykes by Nessie Appleton and Mari Howell is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Reduced Inequalities and Good Health And Well-Being.

In an interview with Its Nice That, Nessie Appleton and Mari Howell shared how their project has grown. It first began as something small that they worked on together, by photographing their friends and friends of their friends. Now, they have launched a nation-wide open call on their Instagram account, which has over 8,500 followers, and has introduced them to a whole new community of like-minded queer people. The couple behind the project also shared their aspirations to take the project abroad, to give a larger number of queer people the chance to share their love for their pets with the world.

Dogs and Their Dykes by Nessie Appleton and Mari Howell not only highlights the special bond between queer individuals and their pets but also fosters a deeper sense of community and belonging. Through intimate and relatable imagery, the project humanizes queer experiences, promoting visibility and inclusion. It sheds light on the mental health benefits that pets provide, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination. As the project expands and reaches more people globally, Dogs and Their Dykes continues to build connections that celebrate love, identity, and the shared companionship between humans and animals.

Find out more about Dogs and Their Dykes on their Instagram @dogsandtheirdykes.