WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE

“We do not have gays here.” I have heard these words in Albania, where queer people’s lives are often denied or kept out of sight, while many face persistent discrimination, psychological abuse and physical violence.

Through photographs and interviews, I meet queer Albanians in Tirana, in smaller cities and in Germany, where some have moved in search of safety and acceptance. What does it mean to feel safe in your own city and family? What must you leave behind to live openly? These questions run through the stories they share with me. Stories of love, fear, belonging and the search for a place where they can be themselves.

As a psychologist, I am aware that research shows higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among LGBTQIA+ people than among their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Discrimination, rejection and violence contribute to these inequalities, with young people particularly vulnerable. These findings give urgency to the need for safe spaces where people can live without hiding who they are. It also shows the need for a platform for these stories to be shared.

I am grateful to everyone who has trusted me with their stories and stood in front of my camera. Through these encounters, I want to challenge fixed ideas about sexuality, gender and Albanian identity. No one should have to leave home or hide who they are to feel safe.

…ongoing…