T-turn

Under Putin, Russia has always been a homophobic country. If before this homophobia was only in the minds of some citizens, now it is the official position of the authorities. At the end of 2022, the State Duma passed a law completely banning LGBTQ+ propaganda. But the Russian authorities decided not to stop there, and in July 2023, they passed a law to ban transgender transition. And all this is happening during a horrific and bloody war with Ukraine. This winter I visited Ally to capture their transition journey in a foreign country, where they live now during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Being born and raised in a bigoted community, they still have to hide their identity. I know Ally for many years now and I was happy to be there for the start of their new era. This series is the beginning of a project that will help transgender people from Russia to express themselves and show their life as it is. Both for those who stayed, fighting for their existence every day, and for those who left and trying to feel free for the first time. If, of course, the society of the countries they moved to is not as homophobic as their native Russia.