Michele Vescio speaks with Shane Thoms, a visual documenter and photographer, about his experiences of isolation in the 80s, being queer, and questioning his gender and sexual identity and gender expression, and the quasi-correlation to the current measure of self-isolation and social/physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shane's work focuses on the abandoned space, where he visually captures traces of human emotion and urban evolution. His work has been featured on CNN, The Business Insider, Huffington Post, Daily Mail, La Repubblica, Viral Nova, and The Weather Channel. 

View Shane's work via Facebook, Instagram, and shanethoms.com.

Content warning: This episode contains some sexual and explicit language, and descriptions and discussions about queerphobia, othering, isolation, and discrimination towards queer people. If this type of content is a trigger for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au, Switchboard Victoria on 1800 184 527 or switchboard.org.au, Queerspace on 03 9663 6733 or queerspace.org.au, or contact your state-based service.

Tracklisting: 'A short term effect' by The Cure, 'The Choke' and 'Tin Omen' by Skinny Puppy.

Images used with permission.