A world that can slowly accompany you in your journey, and accept your true essence.
Cora (8) jumps on the inflatable during an LGTBI meet- ing in Barcelona.
Now she enjoys wearing her hair loose and free.
“I feel liberated; even my hair knows it,” says Cora.
Children are bodies that think in motion, inhabiting the world and discovering their multiple identities through exploration.
1.What is your favorite memory of the PhotoVogue Festival 2023?
Cora (8) jumps on the inflatable during an LGTBI meet- ing in Barcelona. Now she enjoys wearing her hair loose and free. “I feel liberated; even my hair knows it,” says Cora. Feeling recognized in her broader environment, the importance of validation and companionship, access to education, health, and sports are fundamental to Cora’s growth. Children are bodies that think in motion, inhabiting the world and discovering their multiple identities through exploration. Yet, often, communities, schools, healthcare systems, sports, and government laws do not offer ade- quate support for gender diversities. “If we also consider that society views childhood as a sort of limbo devoid of consciousness, will, or agency—essentially lacking indi- viduality or subjectivity—and that the lives of minors must be subjected to the criteria, desires, and will of adults, in- cluding their parents and guardians, then we might be led to believe that neither sexuality nor gender identity exists at that age. Consequently, one might argue that childhood transsexuality does not exist,” explains Juan Gavilán, a philosopher and anthropologist specializing in childhood transsexuality. According to the report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), trans peo- ple, or those whose gender identity and/or gender ex- pression does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, are frequently victims of discrimination, harass- ment, and violence in the European Union (EU).
I was struck by the diversity of voices, visions and approaches.
From a historical perspective, trans used to be associated with the marginal, the periphery.
Not all photography festivals are able to reflect this and that is very gratifying.
This is a photograph from the Navarro family archive, showing Cora before her gender transition at the age of3, playing with her grandmother’s shoes. Below is a letter that Cora’s mother has written for her to read in the future, about her gender transition: “when you put on your shoes your face would light up” she says.
That’s a gift for people in a profession that often feels lonely.
First, commitment and persistence.
Maintaining interest and motivation throughout a long project can be difficult.
Cora swims in the Mediterranean Sea during a sunset in July 2020, after the end of the mandatory quarantine due to the COVID-19 crisis. “I was born knowing I was a girl,” she told me that afternoon while we were taking pho- tos for the report. “I chose the name Cora because that was the name of a little mermaid on TV. When I saw her on TV, I knew that was my name too. That’s why I like water so much."
Changes in the bond may be experienced, and as time passes, the relationship may evolve.
One must be prepared to adapt to these circumstances.
It takes a lot of emotional resilience for so much involvement.
Cora poses for the camera in her room, with the re- flection of the colors of diversity on her face. “The most beautiful thing about my life is being able to be myself,” she confesses. Research data indicates that the differ- ence between supporting a trans child and denying their identity can be substantial in terms of quality of life and life expectancy. In the study “Injustice at Every Turn: A Re- port of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey,” transsexual adults talk about a lost childhood due to iden- tity denial, leading to a suicide risk of 41% (in comparison to 1.6% among the general population). Historically, aging for the transgender population has often meant doing so in isolation and enduring the consequences of economic, health, educational, employment, and social inequality. Ac- cording to the study “Identification of Factors for the La- bor Integration of Transgender People,” the rate of labor exclusion among transgender individuals is approximately 60%. A number of prejudices and stereotypes confine trans women to specific job roles. Furthermore, trans women experience more job exclusion than trans men and are frequently pushed into prostitution or precarious em- ployment.
In my case, the protagonist of my work has experienced many changes.
Ethics and Continuing Consent is another big challenge.
The protagonist may change her mind about how images are shared, or about privacy as circumstances evolve.
Cora plays in the park with a unicorn head. The figure of the unicorn is often present in LGTBI people. In that same park in 2016, she confessed to her mother that she was a girl and no one could see it. Since that day, her fam- ily decided to seek information. The collective of trans- gender people has always existed, but what did not exist before were families who accompanied them. The fact is that, historically, the first place of exclusion of a transgen- der experience was the family: the home, which should function as a refuge of responsible love, ended up being the place that often condemned. Today, many families accompany their children to grow up in freedom, without gender mandates. “When I grow up, I want to be a computer scientist. Or make unicorns,” she confesses with a laugh.
In my case, my work started when Cora was 7 years old.
Today she is 13.
Clearly the way of bonding with the camera has changed.
Cora poses for the camera on February 9th in her bedroom in Barcelona, Spain. It’s her 11th birthday, and she has dyed her hair red. She mentions being drawn to Asian fashion.Cora’s transgender childhood exemplifies the beauty of embracing one’s true self. It demonstrates that a trans- gender child can experience a joyful upbringing if the environment, which once marginalized them, now treats them with respect and support.
We no longer work in the same way.
Consent must be at the centre of my work and that is something that is renegotiated all the time.
It is also extremely important to maintain coherence in the visual narrative over the years.
Funding and resources can be another major long-term challenge.
Knowing how to properly manage the costs associated with the project.
Ensure that the work is exhibited and distributed, especially as platforms and distribution channels change over time.
“I chose the name Cora because that was the name of a little mermaid on TV.
When I saw her on TV, I knew that was my name too.
That’s why I like water so much.”
“The most beautiful thing about my life is being able to be myself,” she confesses.
A number of prejudices and stereotypes confine trans women to specific job roles.
Yes, without a doubt.
Happiness is not a cis patrimony.
We are living in a special time for LGTBIQ people and especially for children.
Because in general when we think of LGTBIQ people we think of adults.
And trans childhoods exist.
And it is possible thanks to the accompaniment of families who decide to respect and accompany.
Historically, this did not exist.
It is very revolutionary, it is a huge change compared to previous generations.
This contributes to greater social acceptance and the demystification of stereotypes.
That is why visibility is so important, in a dignified, ethical, respectful way.
To tell stories that build bridges of empathy, not stigma.
Because there are many ways of being in the world.
Reflecting with our photographs all the social change that has taken place for these communities is a great responsibility.
Is there an upcoming project you are working on?
I continue to work with “CORA”.
Chapter 1, childhood, is finished.
At the moment I am starting chapter 2 of the project, which documents her adolescence.
I am also continuing my research on insemination processes.
I am interested in gender issues, and the historical changes they reflect.
Cora plays in the park with a unicorn head.
The figure of the unicorn is often present in LGTBI people.
Since that day, her fam- ily decided to seek information.
Today, many families accompany their children to grow up in freedom, without gender mandates.
“When I grow up, I want to be a computer scientist.
Or make unicorns,” she confesses with a laugh.
Cora poses for the camera on February 9th in her bedroom in Barcelona, Spain.
It’s her 11th birthday, and she has dyed her hair red.
She mentions being drawn to Asian fashion.Cora’s transgender childhood exemplifies the beauty of embracing one’s true self.
