GGdoLL Shoots for Spring Break 2015

This is actually a #PageantLivesMatter-themed photo shoot. A series of modeling sessions held down at the Dancing Sunflower studio this spring break is, in part, designated to further empower the universal movement to give beauty queens and other pageant contestants the equal treatment and security they deserve. #PageantLivesMatter became a point of interest starting from November 2014, when Miss World contestant Maria Jose Alvarado, representing her native home of Honduras, was gunned down along with her older sister Sofia Trinidad and buried near a jungle river. During that time, their bodies were missing for a couple of days until the main culprit, Sofia Trinidad’s boyfriend Plutarco Ruiz, confessed to the Honduran police and led them to find Maria and Sofia dead. Ruiz was then arrested along with Aris Maldonado and two club bouncers; they are now awaiting trial. Julia Morley, chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, released a statement on the Alvarado sisters’ behalf, and then held a memorial service with all of the Miss World contestants, called the Service of Unity. Ironically, days later, Maria’s stylist, Luis Alfredo Garcia, was found stabbed to death in his bathroom and an investigation into this heinous crime is currently in progress. Then, a couple of weeks before Miss Universe 2014 aired on January 25, Miss Israel Doron Matalon took a selfie with Miss Lebanon Saly Greige, along with Miss Slovenia and Miss Japan. Moments later, Matalon was in hot water from political critics unnecessarily connecting this one photo with an unrelated war between Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. However, this fortunately did not stop her from competing in the Miss Universe show in Miami. Now recently, Miss Turkey 2006 Merve Buyuksarac landed in hot water just because she posted a selfie on Instagram with a caption that referenced a Turkish satire magazine. She may face two years in prison because her post seems to “insult” Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who turns out to hate innocent comedy much to this extent. Months before the Maria Jose Alvarado incident, two Venezuelan beauty queens were gunned down: Miss Venezuela 2004 Monica Spear and Miss Turismo 2013 Genesis Carmona. Beauty queens and other pageant contestants endure a lot of abuse and persecution, more than anyone else in the whole wide world. Henceforth, the movement #PageantLivesMatter involves going out and about in crowns and sashes often, so as to bring awareness to the staggering amount of hate crimes that this specific group of human beings are forced through every day. In addition to celebrating #PageantLivesMatter this spring break, this series didn’t forget St. Patrick’s Day for those who are deeply festive at heart. This spring break photo shoot is indeed a meaningful one, and the entire series is available at the official Gabriel Gomes Facebook page.