The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
July 2016 back issue
by Mariette Pathy Allen
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
For the past 35 years, I have been involved with the transgender
community as a photographer, writer, advocate, and friend. My focus
remains the same as when I started: the de-freakification of gender
variant people. I aim to portray my subjects in the daylight of everyday
life, in relationships with family and friends.
Although most of my work has been done in the United States, I have
been active in other countries as well, particularly Cuba. I have taken
eight trips there between January 2012 and May 2016. The photographs
used are from my book, TransCuba, published in 2014 by Daylight
books.
As Cuba transitions from strict communism to a more inclusive socialism, transgender people in this macho-inclined
country are becoming more visible and less despised. Mariela Castro Espin, the daughter of Raul Castro, president of
Cuba, has been spearheading the changes in the treatment of LGBT people, almost as a counterrevolution to Raul
Castro’s labor camps. You will see both the positive developments in the treatment of gender variant people and the
tragedies that continue to plague them.
Lady and Laura at the Las Vegas Club, Havana.
Performer at the Las Vegas Club, Havana.
Nomi and Miguel, partners, watching television at Malu’s apartment, Havana.
Amanda at home wearing Eiffel Tower T-shirt, Havana.
Amanda’s sofa, Havana.
Amanda, Malecón, Havana.
Anais De Trevis/Arnoldo, performer, outside the apartment he shares with his partner, Enrique, Havana.
Malu with her parents and sister, in front of their home, Cienfuegos.
Miguel at a barber shop, Havana.
Miguel observing Amanda and Henry, at Malu’s apartment, Havana.
Nomi in a hotel lobby, Havana.
Rapunzel, fifteen years old, Havana.
Paloma with her boyfriend at Mi Cayito beach, near Havana.
Erika at home, Cienfuegos.
Charito at home with one-week-old piglet, Camagüey.
Laura at home, Havana.
Alsola, Santiago de Cuba.
