TBWWWTB (To Be Who We Want To Be)

After decades of Soviet forbiddance and suppression, the queer scene in Ukraine has sprouted from the underground. Artist Vic Bakin captures images of this emerging community during the Russian invasion.

“While still being marginalized by the society brought up in Soviet times, the Ukrainian queer scene, little by little, obtains its own unique voice, different from others,” says Bakin. “I personally feel obliged to give this voice a visual form, one of many.”

“The message is simple: each person deserves the right for self identification, the right to be who we want to be. Quiet but brave at the same time, we, these people, are facing another round of oppression coming from the same cancerous imperialistic entity. However, it’s already clear that the new generation will be the one who will change our country for the better. I admire these beautiful people.”