Taken in the area where Sina lives, the new photo series by Callum Leo Hughes celebrates queerness, femmeness and brightness. The playful photos reclaim agency in the space where he lives, documenting Sina’s resistance and stark resilience.
In the past year Sina has been subjected to multiple racist and homophobic attacks in East Berlin where he lives. Being punched, having his face slammed into a tram door, unprovoked death threats in the street, uncountable verbal insults and a Bolt driver forcing him out of a moving car. All for being queer, existing.
The photo series was created after talking with Sina, we had a conversation where he told me he wasn’t sure he belonged in Berlin as he didn’t feel safe or welcomed here. After leaving Iran and moving to Germany he has had to battle with a lot of the issues he was trying to get away from. Berlin is not always the queer paradise as it’s often advertised. Our queer struggle continues.
Sina is one of the most remarkable individuals I have encountered in the past few years in Berlin, not everyone shines so bright whilst remainig queer AF.
Photographs by Callum Leo Hughes – @callumleohughes / www.callumleohughes.com
Model: Sina @_sinaa____
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