Queer stories matter to Ukraine — and to the world.
Help me complete this historic project.
We've never had a war where so many LGBTQ people are willing to be out about their experiences. And they're fighting a government that has made homophobia an explicit weapon of war.
The Queer Face of War is the first broad documentary project showing how queer people can be especially vulnerable in conflict — and how they can feel particularly called to fight for their communities.
And for queer people, visibility is power.
I’ve spent a decade investigating how war affects queer people in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. But Ukraine is the first place where so many people can fully out about their experiences.
From the earliest days of the Russian invasion, I've been interviewing and photographing LGBTQ Ukrainians, documenting the stories of soldiers, refugees, and survivors of war crimes.
Some of this work has already appeared in Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Teen Vogue. Now with your help, I will turn this into a book and photo exhibit to present in multiple cities in the US, Europe, and Ukraine.
Your subscription helps make this possible. Along the way, I’ll share regular dispatches about the reporting and development process.
Thanks for your support.
Lester
“It's very important to document this moment, and we don't have anyone else who’s doing it. This project is priceless.”
— Lenny Emson, Executive Director of Kyiv Pride & Transgender Europe.
