Queen of the Most Violent Country in the World

Its dawn in San Salvador and NadiA is half passed out in an above ground passageway; make-up smeared across her face, her ripped silky pink camisole revealing her prickly chest and sweat stained bra. From what’s pictured one can’t be sure exactly what has happened but violence is implied. NadiA is a transvestite living in Soyapango, the poorest, most violent and heavily stigmatized city in El Salvador, which is currently the most violent (non-war) country in the world. NadiA is a gender-fluid queer body in a conservative, religious and gang filled society that rejects her very being. She hears gunshots at night, sometimes has to steal bus money from her father and has prostituted herself out of desperation. The story takes place over the course of two years and follows NadiA through her everyday life. The photographs seek to portray the fragility of life for LGBTQIA people living in El Salvador and give voice to a young transvestite who, despite all her pain, continues to persevere with a bright attitude and infectious smile. This portrait series sheds light on the isolation, fear and ostracization of people like NadiA so that we are able to bring awareness to these issues and effect meaningful change. Her pain is palpable but so is the hope for her future.