Mark
“I’ve worn a uniform for over 35 years. Much like a barbershop, wearing a uniform can be a bit like slipping on a barber’s cape that provides a façade to hide the real you; a veneer to what really sits beneath. As a gay man, barbershops used to feel like places where I had to shrink myself from the small talk about your day job, your family, and the inevitable questions about your girlfriend or wife. Now, out and proud for over 25 years, it’s where I sit tall, knowing every strand trimmed tells a story of courage and pride. Queer joy is walking out of the barbershop owning your space leading from the front because authenticity isn’t negotiable; it’s the sharpest cut you’ll ever wear. Fresh fade, full medals, and zero apologies.”
Mark (he/him)
A Wing Commander, helicopter aircrew, and the most senior out LGBTQ+ officer in the Royal Air Force for a considerable period, Mark has served in the RAF for over 35 years, travelling the world and building a career that has brought him purpose, pride, and personal growth. The RAF has shaped him into the person he is today, while giving him the freedom to be fully himself – shaped by his work, but never defined by it.
For Mark, being queer means living authentically without the need for explanation. It’s the quiet confidence of saying, “This is me,” and meaning it.
One of his proudest moments was leading and marching with the RAF contingent at London Pride – standing tall among his community and representing visibility within the Forces.
He expresses his identity through authenticity in everything he does, living openly and without compromise.
His message to queer kids is clear: it will be ok. Be yourself, stay true, and you can achieve your wildest dreams.
This is UNCUT — a raw, striking portrait series by award-winning photographer Chris Jepson capturing the power and pride of Queer Joy, shot in a barber’s chair. No filters, no retouching, no compromise. Just bold, beautiful people taking up space exactly as they are.