Join the international All Out Photo Award and show how LGBT+ people around the world resist attacks and discrimination, support each other in these difficult times, and heal together from struggles and pain.

In so many countries around the world, LGBT+ people continue to face a disproportionate impact from COVID-19. Existing marginalization, dependence on the informal economy and pre-existing health vulnerabilities, particularly HIV, are all combining to leave queer communities horribly exposed. All this comes on top of existing challenges of the discrimination and violence queer communities were already facing. Attacks on LGBT+ people continued as more “LGBT-free zones” were established in Poland, innocent LGBT+ people were arrested and mistreated in countries like Russia, Cameroon, and Tunisia, and many were targeted by hate crimes, and denied access to basic human rights.

Throughout all these difficulties, the LGBT+ community has persisted and resisted. Here at All Out, a global movement for the rights of LGBT+ people, we have witnessed an unprecedented wave of solidarity and support from people all over the world helping those in need.

The All Out Photo Award is a photography competition that is motivated by that solidarity. Inspired by the theme of this year's International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), "Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!", the competition calls on photographers to share unique photos that capture how LGBT+ people and their communities and allies around the world resist attacks and discrimination, support each other in these difficult times, and heal together.

The All Out Photo Award is being presented by MTV and All Out.

(Please note that the contest page is available in English only.)

By participating in the All Out Photo Award
you agree to the Terms and Conditions.

What winners receive

All submitting photographers will benefit from:

Submission review by our jury of LGBT+ professional photographers
Opportunities for immediate exposure (e.g. across social networks and websites)

All participants will have their work viewed by an international panel of professional photographers, and have the opportunity to win the following prizes:

The winners in each of the three categories will receive a cash prize of USD $1,000
The runners-up (two in each category) will receive a print voucher from BayPhoto.com valued at USD $300 and a one year subscription to Flickr Pro valued at $72

The winning and runner-up photographs will

be displayed on the big screen at ViacomCBS headquarters in Times Square, New York City during Pride season
be included in promotion on MTV, LOGO TV, and All Out social media channels
have their work printed and exhibited at WorldPride Copenhagen 2021 and several galleries around the world
receive international media exposure
receive a dedicated feature on All Out's website and online gallery
receive additional opportunities for exhibition and publication through All Out and its partners

About the organizers

All Out (allout.org)

All Out is a global movement for love and equality. All Out is the world's largest LGBT+ online activism network, that works towards a world in which nobody has to sacrifice their family, freedom, safety or dignity because of who they are or who they love.

MTV (mtv.com)

As the leading youth entertainment brand, MTV is the best place to watch the network's original series, see the latest music videos and stay up to date on today's celebrity news.

How to enter

Amateur and professional photographers alike are invited to submit photos in one or more of three categories (up to 5 photos per category) based on the three themes of IDAHOBIT 2021: Resisting, Supporting, Healing.

Resisting

Show us your photos of how LGBT+ people and their communities and allies around the world resist attacks and discrimination.

Supporting

Share your photos that show how LGBT+ people and their communities and allies support each other in difficult times.

Healing

Submit photos that show how LGBT+ people and their communities and allies take steps forward to collectively heal from experienced struggles and pain.

Submissions from all photographic genres and from anyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, or any other characteristic or status are welcome.

Judging criteria

The photos will be judged by an international jury according to the following criteria: expression of the theme, inspirational power, originality, and composition.

Our Jury

Call for entries open

17 May 2021, 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Submission deadline

11 June 2021, 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Winner announcement

28 June 2021

Online Award Ceremony and opening of the Online Exhibition

July 2021

Who can enter the All Out Photo Award?

The All Out Photo Award is an open call to photographers of all skill levels and abilities. We encourage submissions from anyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, or any other characteristic or status.

Is there a theme for the All Out Photo Award?

Yes. The theme is inspired by this year's IDAHOBIT theme, "Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing!". Photographers are encouraged to submit LGBT+-themed entries for any or all of the three categories: resisting, supporting and healing.

Is there a fee for submitting photos?

No. This open call is completely free of charge.

Is there a deadline for submissions?

No. This open call is completely free of charge.

Is there a limit to the number of photos I can submit?

You can submit up to 5 photographs per category. That means, if you submit photos in all three categories, you can submit a total of 15 photos.

Can I email my submission or submit on social media?

No. We only accept submissions through this website.

Can I submit work that has been awarded in other competitions?

Yes. You can submit work that has been a part of other photo competitions, as long as it is in line with the themes, and as long as you have full rights to the photos.

Are there any age restrictions to this competition?

Yes. You must be 18 years of age and above at the time of submitting your photos.

Will I keep the rights to my photos after submitting them to the contest?

Yes, of course – you keep the copyright on your photos, but you allow All Out and our sponsors and partners to use your photos for activities in all media (including social media, online, and print) in relation to the contest, the exhibition, the archive, and all LGBT+ rights advocacy and fundraising, educational, and promotional activities, without any remuneration being due. Photographers will be credited for their works. For more details on this, please read the Terms & Conditions.

How will I find out if I won or if my photos didn't make it?

We will let you know by email if your photo is chosen as a winner. You will also hear from us if you're not among the winners. The public winner announcement will be on 28 June 2021.

What happens if I win?

The final selection of artists will be made in collaboration between the Jury and the All Out team. There will be 9 selected artists including winners and runners-up.

If you're selected as a winner, you will be notified by email in late June with information about the following steps. A list of selected awardees will be published on the All Out website and social media. The decision on successful entrants is final.

What can I win by participating in the contest?

All submitting photographers will benefit from a submission review by our jury of professional photographers and opportunities for exposure (e.g. across social networks and websites).

9 photographers will benefit from cash or other prizes, be displayed on the big screen at ViacomCBS headquarters in Times Square, New York City, have their work printed and exhibited at WorldPride Copenhagen 2021 and several galleries around the world, receive International media and social media exposure, among other opportunities. See the "What winners receive" section on this website for more info.

If I'm one of the winners – how can I be included in the exhibitions?

If you're one of the selected photographers, we will be in touch with you regarding following steps. The production of the photos (printing and transport) will be done with the support of our sponsors BayPhoto and/or Bilder.de. All Out will work with local teams at exhibition spaces to set up the shows.

Will my photos be featured on social media?

From May 17 onwards some submitted photos will be highlighted by All Out and shown through our Instagram accounts @weareallout (Global), @alloutbr (Brazil), and @somosallout (LatAm), and on Facebook. Please note that if your work is shared on All Out's social media channels this does not mean that your work has or has not been selected as a winner as successful applicants will be determined later (in June 2021) after the works have been seen by the jury. Through submitting your work you give permission for the All Out team to use your work in this way and to publish it online and on the All Out social media platforms.

Can I submit using an artist name or pseudonym?

Yes, but you must include your real name on the application form as well.

You have a question that is not included here? Don't hesitate to reach out to us through [email protected].