Ser Libre is an hymn to recognition, acceptance and pride.
Florencia Nelli (she / her)“Often, I feel like I don’t fit in.
Throughout my life, I haven’t seen myself reflected in overweight characters.
They’ve usually had negative connotations, being portrayed as villains or ‘wrong.’
This societal view has led to teasing, shaming, and the need for ‘change.’
While some progress has been made, I still feel partly unrepresented.
Florencia Nelli (she / her)“Often, I feel like I don’t fit in. Throughout my life, I haven’t seen myself reflected in overweight characters. They’ve usually had negative connotations, being portrayed as villains or ‘wrong.’ This societal view has led to teasing, shaming, and the need for ‘change.’ While some progress has been made, I still feel partly unrepresented. The jour- ney to self-acceptance is difficult, a continuous process of deconstructing myself. This involves shedding clothes, places, or people that hinder my freedom to love and ex- press myself.” (words by Florencia)
The jour- ney to self-acceptance is difficult, a continuous process of deconstructing myself.
My parents were initially unaware, and at that time, little information existed.
My early social life was challenging.
Leandro Kursawe (he / him)“My journey of being different began at nine with the on- set of vitiligo. My parents were initially unaware, and at that time, little information existed. Misdiagnoses were common. My early social life was challenging. Initially, I concealed my patches, wearing long clothing to avoid reactions. Support from family and friends empowered me to embrace myself. It’s been a difficult journey, but I now accept and love myself as I am. I no longer feel the need to hide my skin; I don’t require ‘healing’ because there’s nothing to heal.” (words by Leandro)
Initially, I concealed my patches, wearing long clothing to avoid reactions.
Support from family and friends empowered me to embrace myself.
It’s been a difficult journey, but I now accept and love myself as I am.
Alex de Campo (he / him)“As a boy, I always knew I was different, though I didn’t understand why. I never felt at ease having to pretend to be a girl. I often wondered what it would have been like to be born as a boy. At 16, I began dreaming of that possibil- ity, unaware that it was even feasible. I had no knowledge of others who felt like me or what being trans meant. At 18, I left my hometown, and my world expanded. Joining an LGBTQ+ organization, I finally felt represented, un- derstood, supported, and loved for who I truly am. Learn- ing about gender identity laws, I was able to change my ID. The happiest day of my life was the day I underwent breast surgery. Upon waking up, I felt that my body was finally mine. A sense of relief washed over me. From there, I started a new life; I was reborn. Today, I’m proud of who I’ve become.” (words by Alex)
(words by Leandro)
1.
What is your favorite memory of the PhotoVogue Festival 2023?
I remember the day we all took photos together and wow!
Luz Cuebas (she / her)Behind the makeup, vibrant attire, and glitter, there’s Luz, a trans girl fatigued, disheartened, and angry. Despite graduating as a highly-qualified nurse and pursuing fur- ther education, Luz’s trans identity often overshadows her credentials. Prejudice and animosity in society hinder op- portunities for trans women who, like everyone else, seek equal rights and opportunities. Argentina boasts progres- sive laws, but equal opportunities aren’t always ensured. Work, housing, and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans women, remain scarce.
And I think that it always happens within a community.
The power that art has is incredible and I believe it can truly change people’s lives.
It definitely changed and saved mine.
Julio Maidana (he / him)“The peak blossoming of camellias occurs amidst winter, defying the expectation of spring. In the face of a harsh cli- mate, one of the planet’s most beautiful flowers emerges.” I see Julio, myself, and many others I photograph as ca- mellia flowers; exquisite beings defying a binary system, thriving in challenging circumstances. We exist and per- sist, flourishing amid indifference, fear, hate, and prejudice. Julio, a young LGBTQI+ individual living in San Javier, remains strong in a place without communities that dis- sent from the norm. Music and art became his refuge for self-expression.
I never felt at ease having to pretend to be a girl.
I often wondered what it would have been like to be born as a boy.
At 16, I began dreaming of that possibil- ity, unaware that it was even feasible.
Sabrina Quevedo (she / her)“I was raised in a society that equated not having a con- ventional body with being ugly. Having a larger body meant covering up and wearing certain clothes to appear slimmer. Feeling beautiful was challenging when people freely commented on your body’s appearance and what you needed to change. This made me insecure for years. While social media can be toxic regarding body standards and beauty norms, they enriched me in a way by providing representation I lacked during my childhood. Seeing gor- geous plus-size models and actresses made me realize my own beauty. It’s an ongoing process, but today I gen- uinely love myself and my body. Most importantly, I don’t feel guilty about it.” (words by Sabrina)
I had no knowledge of others who felt like me or what being trans meant.
At 18, I left my hometown, and my world expanded.
Learn- ing about gender identity laws, I was able to change my ID.
The happiest day of my life was the day I underwent breast surgery.
Upon waking up, I felt that my body was finally mine.
A sense of relief washed over me.
From there, I started a new life; I was reborn.
Today, I’m proud of who I’ve become.”
(words by Alex)
2.
Your photography is deeply rooted in politics, and in particular, in the political significance of non-conforming identities.
Could you tell us more about this?
Argentina has been a global exemplar for its progressive equal rights policies in recent decades.
These laws have paved the way for a more inclusive Argentina, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all.
Yet, many of these landmark achievements now face potential jeopardy.
Our existence, our battles, activism, and achievements are deeply entwined with politics.
Today, the progress we’ve made over many years is once again under threat.
Argentina boasts progres- sive laws, but equal opportunities aren’t always ensured.
Work, housing, and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially trans women, remain scarce.
Your project is called Ser Libre.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom is what allows me to continue being - without freedom we do not exist.
It also made me aware that my identity process is evolutionary and non-binary.
In the face of a harsh cli- mate, one of the planet’s most beautiful flowers emerges."
We exist and per- sist, flourishing amid indifference, fear, hate, and prejudice.
Music and art became his refuge for self-expression.
Is there an upcoming project you are working on?
Having a larger body meant covering up and wearing certain clothes to appear slimmer.
Feeling beautiful was challenging when people freely commented on your body’s appearance and what you needed to change.
This made me insecure for years.
Seeing gor- geous plus-size models and actresses made me realize my own beauty.
It’s an ongoing process, but today I gen- uinely love myself and my body.
Most importantly, I don’t feel guilty about it."
(words by Sabrina)
