"Wissam, 23, Damascus, Syria. $150†Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. They...

Contestants on a bus between venues at the Mr Gay World competition in 2016. After leaving Damascus, Mahmoud Hassino (left) lived in Turkey for around three years, from where he worked as a journalis...

Wissam (23), from Damascus, Syria. $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. Th...

Dea (22), from Aleppo, Syria. "Give me my freedom" €75. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria. €50. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. Th...

Wissam (23) from Damascus, Syria. "His is my body....I am free". $150 Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often refe...

Wissam (23), from Damascus, Syria. "I'm flying without limits..". $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often re...

Dea (22), from Aleppo, Syria. "Queer and proud" 600 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred...

Ammar (19), from Damascus, Syria. "Ammar from Sham (Damascus)". 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practic...

'Julia' (28), from Idlib, Syria. "I'm respecting you...also you should to do..." 50 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Ist...

Wissam (23), from Damascus, Syria. "respect me..." $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 's...

Wissam (23), from Damascus, Syria. $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. Th...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. The...

Ammar (19), from Damascus, Syria. "I don't even care". 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often r...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. "A dead body". $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'sur...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria. "I'm like this". 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referre...

Dea (22), from Aleppo, Syria. "We want to live in peace" €75. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. "Life is sweet and its life". $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often refe...

'Julia' (28), from Idlib, Syria. "After all life is...beautiful.." 50-100 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a p...

Mahmoud Hassino on the phone at home in Istanbul. After leaving Damascus, Mahmoud lived in Turkey for around three years, from where he worked as a journalist covering the conflict in his native Syri...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. "I love you" $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survi...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria." 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'surv...

'Julia' (28), from Idlib, Syria. "We are the colours of the universe" 50-100 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. "Melit of Kalashi". $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as...

'Julia' (28), from Idlib, Syria. "I will not turn to the past because my future is bright" 50-100 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as...

Dea (22), from Aleppo, Syria. "I won't hide my queerness" $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred t...

Ammar (19), from Damascus, Syria. "I'm Gay and I'm proud". 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice o...

Wissam (23), from Damascus, Syria. "No matter how much we are different, we shouldn't argue. Wissam from Damascus. I studied accounting" $150. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay an...

'Julia' (28), from Idlib, Syria. "Am different but for the best ☺" 50-100 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul,...

Ammar (19), from Damascus, Syria. "Love is Love" 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referre...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria. "I'm naturally this way" 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice of...

'Julia' from Syria. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. They find their custo...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. "I want stability" $100. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria. "Being famous" 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred...

Ammar (19), from Damascus, Syria. "I'm normal" 200 Turkish Lira. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referre...

Mark (19), from Latakia, Syria. "Gay and proud". Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'surviva...

'Majid' (28), from Aleppo, Syria. Struggling to survive financially in exile, these gay and transgender refugees work as escorts in Istanbul, a practice often referred to as 'survival sex'. They find...

Wael takes part in a dance class. At birth, intersex children 'who are born with several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, sex hormones or genitals that do not fit the typical d...

LEFT: Dea (22), Aleppo, Syria. ''Give me my freedom'' € 75 RIGHT: Ammar (19) Damascus, Syria. ''Ammar from Sham (Damascus)''. 200 Turkish Lira Struggling to survive financially in exile, these g...

At birth, intersex children 'who are born with several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, sex hormones or genitals that do not fit the typical definitions of male or female bodie...

Ali Reza (L, 28) and Pedram (19), from Tehran and Shiraz, Iran. They live together in a house well known amongst the Iranian LGBT community, Ali Reza and Pedram place a plastic sheet over their garden...

LEFT: Wissam (23) Damascus, Syria. ''No matter how much we are different, we shouldn't argue. ''I studied accounting" $150 RIGHT: Ammar (19) Damascus, Syria. ''I'm Gay and I'm proud''. 200 Turkish Li...

Same sex couples kiss during a gay rights demonstration. During the end of the Gorbachev era Russian gay rights activists were coming coming out of hiding and publicly proclaiming their sexuality whil...

A heart in Rainbow colours at the Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day CSD Pride parade in Berlin.

Flag in rainbow colours at the Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day CSD Pride parade in Berlin.

Drag Queen with costume and face mask in Rainbow colours at the Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day CSD Pride parade in Berlin.

Participants with costume Rainbow colours at the Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day CSD Pride parade in Berlin.

Participants in a LGBT Pride march walk through the streets accompanied by a strong police presence, their to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

Participants in a LGBT Pride march walk through the streets accompanied by a strong police presence, their to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

A strong police precence ensured that a LGBT pride march through the town was protected from nationalists and anti-gay rights activists who gathered nearby to protest the march.

A strong police precence ensured that a LGBT pride march through the town was protected from nationalists and anti-gay rights activists who gathered nearby to protest the march.

A strong police precence ensured that a LGBT pride march through the town was protected from nationalists and anti-gay rights activists who gathered nearby to protest the march.

A strong police precence ensured that a LGBT pride march through the town was protected from nationalists and anti-gay rights activists who gathered nearby to protest the march.

A strong police precence ensured that a LGBT pride march through the town was protected from nationalists and anti-gay rights activists who gathered nearby to protest the march.

Nationalists and anti-gay rights activists watch as a LGBT pride march, heavily guarded by the police, passes on the other side of the street.

Nationalists and anti-gay rights activists watch as a LGBT pride march, heavily guarded by the police, passes on the other side of the street.

Participants in a LGBT pride march walk through the streets accompanied by a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

Participants in a LGBT pride march walk through the streets accompanied by a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

Participants in a LGBT pride march walk through the streets accompanied by a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

Participants in a LGBT pride march gather in a park. The march itself saw a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

Julia attaches rainbow tape to her boots as participants in a LGBT pride march gather in a park. The march itself saw a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary ele...

Julia attaches rainbow tape to her face as participants in a LGBT pride march gather in a park. The march itself saw a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elec...

A youth watches as participants in a LGBT pride march gather in a park. The march itself saw a strong police presence to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

People take part in a LGBT pride march where a strong police presence sought to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

People take part in a LGBT pride march where a strong police presence sought to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

People take part in a LGBT pride march where a strong police presence sought to prevent violence before forth coming parliamentary elections.

As a march was held in the town by LGBT activists, elsewhere nationalists distributed homophobic signs which declared: 'Gays forbidden'.

17 year old, gay man Mariah, a high school student and already an activist for LGBTQI+ rights. He says as a result in school he has been bullied. In July of 2016 it became too much for him, he tried t...

29 year old, gender queer person Khookha. When Khookha's family discovered that he is an activist with Tunisian non-governmental women's rights and LGBTQI+ organisation 'Mawjoudui' (We Exist), his mot...

36 year old, gay man Badr the Executive Director of DAMJ, a human rights organisation. He has worked as an LGBTQI+ activist for many years. This work has also made him the target of violence. For his...

24 year old, lesbian woman Soly, an activist with Tunisian non-governmental women's rights and LGBTQI+ organisation 'Mawjoudui' (We Exist). Like many LGBTQI+ people in Tunisia, coming out is a scary p...

29 year old, gender queer person Khookha. When Khookha's family discovered that he is an activist with Tunisian non-governmental women's rights and LGBTQI+ organisation 'Mawjoudui' (We Exist), his mot...

Outside of Buganda road Chief Magistrate court in Kampala, Isaac Ssemakadde, Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi's lawyer talks to the press following the ruling by Chief Magistrate Glady...

Outside of Buganda road Chief Magistrate court in Kampala, Isaac Ssemakadde, Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi's lawyer talks to the press following the ruling by Chief Magistrate Glady...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi sits in the dock during a hearing held to determine if she has a case of 'Computer Misuse' to answer regar...

The crowded public gallery at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court where Presiding Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu rules on a case of 'Computer Misuse' against Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stel...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi sits in the dock during a hearing held to determine if she has a case of 'Computer Misuse' to answer regar...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi sits in the dock during a hearing held to determine if she has a case of 'Computer Misuse' to answer regar...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Presiding Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu rules on a case of 'Computer Misuse' laid against Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi. Kamasanyu noted t...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi sits in the dock during a hearing held to determine if she has a case of 'Computer Misuse' to answer regar...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi listens from the dock, at the start of the the first of many hearings held to determine if Nyanzi has a ca...

At the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court Makerere University Researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi talks to her lawyer, Isaac Ssemakadde, at the start of the the first of many hearings held to determine if...

Two young gay meant hug each other at a party organised by Labrys, a local NGO promoting LGBT rights.

Diana, a drag queen, smokes a cigarette at the underground gay club, Mayak. The club has been open since 2012 and is located in the centre of Bishkek but despite its central location, only members of...

Two gay men kissing at a birthday celebration in the underground gay club, Mayak. The club has been open since 2012 and is located in the centre of Bishkek but despite its central location, only membe...

Ilona (20, left), lights a cigarette to Dmitry (34) at a secretly located shelter for the members of the LGBT community. Dmitry spent two months in this shelter after he was beaten and raped by the po...

David (28), from Uzbekistan, in his room in Labrys Centre for LGBT youth in Bishkek. He left Uzbekistan with his partner in 2013 after receiving a lot of pressure from local police, including blackmai...

Gay men dancing at a birthday celebration in the underground gay club, Mayak. The club has been open since 2012 and is located in the centre of Bishkek but despite its central location, only members o...

Sanny (22), a trans woman, standing in the backyard of Labrys' compound (a local NGO promoting LGBT rights). She says: ''In September 2014, I met a man through WhatsApp Messenger. He invited me for a...

John, (not his real name, 23), works on his laptop at a secretly located shelter for the members of the LGBT community. John, a universty student from Turkmenistan, identifies as bisexual. He says: ''...