In Ukraine, the LGBTIQ*-community has recently been more visible than ever. The invasion of the Russian army in February 2022 poses an existential threat to this community in particular. The Russian Federation has a deeply homophobic and transphobic social climate as well as policy. A list of Ukrainian LGBTQ*-activists who ought to be arrested is circulating amongst Russian troops, according to US officials. This drives several queer Ukranians to enlist despite homophobic incidents in the army. Others try to continue their political work or simply cope with life in the country at war. Various young queer Ukrainians say their sexuality now plays a lesser role.

"I worry more about getting killed by a Russian rocket, than being judged for kissing my boyfriend", Yehor (20) says. On the first days of the invasion the film student fled from Kyiv to Lviv, in the west of the country. Yehor’s family lives near the front line in Nikopol. Besides leaving home, the war affects his libido, he says. Relationships, though, become more important and intense, he adds. After six months, he moved back to Kyiv with his boyfriend. Following a dispute, Yehor crashed at friends’ places for months, until he had found an affordable flat. The ongoing war is palpable in the city. Repeatedly, missiles strike. Electricity is scarce and power cuts are supposed to uphold the functionality of the highly damaged system. Many flats are cold, as heaters use electric power.

Sasha (21) and Sasha (22) from Lviv share the burden. Just 80 kilometers from the European border the power supply has long been unreliable. Sasha (22) reports he worries more than anything. "Especially during the war, LGBTQI+ individuals have emerged as a significant source of strength for both LGBTQI+ civilians", he says.

The photo story deals with the feelings and hopes of 5 different protagonists, and is usually told in a large edit of 30 photos. The protagonists were given questions and asked to formulate their thoughts and wishes. The interviews were then translated, edited by Ambrosio and are usually displayed alongside the portraits. For the Award, they can be found in the captions. This photo series was awarded with the Residency Prize at the Portraits Hellerau Photography Award. Together with the book publisher Kettler, the project was published as a book in April 2024 (https://www.verlag-kettler.de/de/buecher/sitara-thalia-ambrosio/) and shortlisted at the Fotobus Library Award 2024.