LEWISTON – An exhibition of photos depicting the family lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people starts a two-week stay at Bates College with a reception at 7 p.m. Monday in Chase Hall Gallery.

Coinciding with the run-up to an election in which Maine voters have the choice of repealing civil rights protections for people of diverse sexual orientations, “Love Makes A Family: Portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People and Their Families” is a touring photo-text display created by Family Diversity Projects of Amherst, Mass.

Its appearance at Bates is sponsored by campus offices and organizations including OUTfront, a student-run group dealing with issues of sexuality and gender.

The exhibition runs through Nov. 6. For more information, people can call 777-6778 or e-mail [email protected].

The photographs by Gigi Kaeser depict people of all races and their families in familiar settings. The photos are accompanied by text edited by Peggy Gillespie from in-depth interviews she conducted with the family members, including children, who speak candidly about their lives, relationships and ways in which they cope with prejudice and intolerance.

A nonprofit educational organization, Family Diversity Projects created “Love Makes a Family” to help combat homophobia.

Ten sets of the texts and photos tour nationwide throughout the year, supporting the grassroots efforts of people working to combat the cycle of ignorance and bigotry toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, organizers said. Since it began touring in 1996, the exhibit has traveled to more than 1,000 communities.

The exhibit and reception are open to the public at no cost. For more information, people can visit the Web at www.lovemakesafamily.org/lovemakesafamily.php.