2014 Photo Contest, Daily Life, Honorable mention

Living Unnoticed

Photographer

Jana Ašenbrennerová

24 February, 2013

Rainbow Sunrise, an NGO founded in the city of Bukavu in 2011, plays a crucial role in offering LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people a safe place to meet, a chance to share experiences, and sexual education. Very few support organizations exist for gay people in the DRC. The country has no explicit law against homosexuality; nevertheless there is very little social acceptance of same-sex relationships.

LGBT people are increasingly subject to discrimination and violence, and many keep their identities hidden in order to avoid assault and stigmatization. In December, a draft bill criminalizing gay sex was proposed in the DRC parliament. Supporters of the bill claim that same-sex activity is un-African, and a result of Western influence. Opponents say that such relationships existed in traditional culture, and point to harsh colonial-era laws as a source of negative attitudes.

About the photographer

Jana Ašenbrennerová

Jana Ašenbrennerová is a Czech photojournalist specializing in social documentary. After studying directing at The Film Academy of Miroslav Ondrícek in Písek, she moved to the Un...

Technical information

Shutter Speed
1/30
Focal length
35.0 mm
F-Stop
3.5
ISO
1250
Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

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