Be yourself!
Reading time: 10 minutes - August 18, 2021 - by Joana Kritiotis - From the Schnappschuss
This is the motto that everyone should live by. It sounds almost clich?d and is often ridiculed. But it should actually go without saying: be true to yourself and enjoy life in freedom.
Soraya ZamanFreedom for all
Everyone has the freedom to be themselves. At least if you don't harm anyone else in the process. The LGBTQ community around the world is still fighting for this freedom today. Many steps towards equality have been taken in recent decades. Much has already been done, but there is still a long way to go before complete acceptance in society.
AMERICAN BOYS by Soraya Zaman is a photographic project and book that celebrates personal gender expression. It is a collection of portraits of transmasculine people from large and small towns in the USA. They were assigned the gender of female at birth, but identify with masculinity. "We all need to stop making assumptions about gender based on the way someone chooses to look. It has nothing to do with gender identity," says Soraya Zaman.
Soraya ZamanPortraits with impact
Soraya identifies as non-binary and with these works gives everyone else a platform of safety and inclusion. Masculinity can be so much more than just a form of representation. The focus of these images is on young adults who identify as male. They are portrayed in a classic way. Sometimes the images are reminiscent of earlier shots of movie stars and celebrities in less glamorous setups - something more artistic and down to earth to emphasize their "normality". In this case, this is also placed in the foreground, but in order to gain social acceptance. They are relaxed, genuine and very personal. They are outdoor shots taken on the street, in the backyard, in the park, at home in the garden, in nature. They show young men, often with tattoos, with character and self-confidence. Many also have their upper bodies exposed or are hanging serenely from scaffolding. Colors, landscapes and motifs that everyone knows from older American films predominate, which seem very familiar at first glance. If you look closely, you can see the visible scars of a transformation of the body in the chest area of many of them. The breast is the first visible feature of so-called femininity, which quickly makes gender recognizable in adults. These young people are automatically classified and it is decided for them "who" or "what" they should behave as. Some also manage a complete physical sex change - their so-called rebirth. This means they also physically become young men. They reach the point where they no longer have to ask themselves. "What if I were physically exactly the person I am in order to feel complete?"
Soraya ZamanHuman exchange through photography
It is part of our nature to strive for recognition in order to find happiness. But when a society prohibits and condemns - equally natural - diversity, it stands in the way of this personal happiness. In the photographs, the eyes reveal emotional pain, yet a great deal of strength of soul and struggle for life. "In photography, I look for the human exchange that you have with someone when you photograph them. I want to capture that moment, which is real and authentic," says Soraya. One of them is sitting relaxed on the lakeshore, wearing a silver chain around his neck and a cap. Tattooed on his chest is: "The day your life begins is the day you decide that your life is your own".
Soraya says: "I am inspired by everyday heroes and people who choose to live their lives unconditionally, even under threat of harm."
With a view to a positive future
In Soraya's book, the individuals are presented with their names, age and place of residence. In addition, there is the information "On testosterone for x years". This is followed by a brief personal introduction that provides a glimpse into the person's life. Then the portraits and perhaps also family photos with partners and children. It resembles a kind of encyclopedia that can be opened to reveal real stories about sexuality, identity and humanity. In many parts of the world, a lot has already changed in this respect. Even though transgender people, lesbians, gays, intersex people and the entire LGBTQ movement still face a lot of hostility - and are even persecuted and not recognized in some parts of the world. The picture is slowly changing for the better and is encouraging, at least in some countries. The goal is improvement for the people and unity for all, despite everyone's individuality.
You can find out more about Soraya Zaman here:
Instagram: @sorayatzaman
Instagram: @americanboysproject
Soraya Zaman
Soraya Zaman - Schnappschuss Change
