Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. "I'm flying without limits...♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ". $150
Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, Turkey, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex.'
They find their customers online, on mobile apps, in bars and clubs, and through word of mouth.
Selling sexual services is a reality for many LGBT+ refugees, and is sometimes the difference between being able to eat and pay rent, or sleeping rough.
Sex workers can face exploitation, rape, and even murder.
Prices shown are what the individual charges for various sexual services.
Refugees in the commercial sex industry are most often women, but the culture of sex work amongst refugees has long since crossed into the LGBT sphere. Over the past six years Istanbul has hosted an increasing number of LGBT+ asylum seekers who arrived to the city from Iraq, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere as it became somewhat of an open minded hub for the communities.
The combined struggles of being LGBT, a sex worker, and a refugee result in many of these men and women to live in fear, or become reckless, regardless of the very real threats they face through doing this work.
'Julia' 28, Idlib, Syria. "I will not turn to the past because my future is bright" 50-100 Turkish Liras
Ammar, 19, Damascus, Syria. "I'm Gay and I'm proud ♥︎ ". 200 Turkish Liras
Dea, 22, Aleppo, Syria. "I won't hide my queerness" $150
Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. "No matter how much we are different, we shouldn't argue. Wissam from Damascus. I studied accounting" $150
Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. "I'm naturally this way" 150 Turkish Liras
'Majid' 28, Aleppo, Syria. "A dead body ♥︎ ". $100
Mark, 19, Latakia, Syria. "Being famous" 200 Turkish Liras
'Julia' 28, Idlib, Syria. "am different but for the best ☺ " 50-100 Turkish Liras
Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. "This is my body....I am free" $150
Ammar, 19, Damascus, Syria. "I don't even care". 200 Turkish Liras
Dea, 22, Aleppo, Syria. "Queer and proud" 600 Turkish Liras
This series was shot on instant film to allow more control to those in the images, making sure they are comfortable.
The collaborative images confront the viewer with sexualised bodies, prices for their services, and words that describe the past, present or future of those in the images, to juxtapose the image with the person's life.
The final images are reminiscent of the 'calling cards' that frequent phone boxes, seedy bars, etc.
'Majid', 28, Aleppo, Syria. "I love you" $100
'Julia', 28, Idlib, Syria. "After all life is...beautiful...♥︎ " 50-100 Turkish Liras
Ammar, 19, Damascus, Syria. "Love is Love" 200 Turkish Liras
Dea, 22, Aleppo, Syria. "Give me my freedom" €75
Mark, 19, Latakia, Syria. "I'm like this" 200 Turkish Liras
Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. "respect me..." $150
'Majid' 28, Aleppo, Syria. "I want stability" $100
Mark, 19, Latakia, Syria. "♥︎" 200 Turkish Liras.
'Julia', 28, Idlib, Syria. "I'm respecting you...also you should to do..." 50 Turkish Liras
Dear, 22, Aleppo, Syria. "We want to live in peace" €75
'Majid', 28, Aleppo, Syria. $100
Ammar, 19, Damascus, Syria. "Ammar from Sham (Damascus)". 200 Turkish Liras
Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. $150
'Julie', 28, Idlib, Syria. "We are the colours of the universe" 50-100 Turkish Liras.
Ammar, 19, Damascus, Syria. "I'm normal". 200 Turkish Liras
Mark, 19, Latakia, Syria. €50
'Majid' 28, Aleppo, Syria. "Life is sweet and its life". $100
Mark, 19, Latakia, Syria. "Gay and proud" €50