Despite a history of homophobia, Vietnam celebrated its first pride parade in August and it may become the first nation in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Photographer Maika Elan, 26, has been documenting queer couples in her native country for two years. The NYT reports:
"Most took some time to warm up to her. But after being around her subjects for a few days, she got a sense of their routines at home. In fact, the idea of home became integral to the work. When she followed one couple outside, she watched how their posture changed in public. They weren’t comfortable. At a flower market, where she was photographing the two men together, onlookers stopped to ask why two men would hug. She sought private moments instead — where her subjects would be free from stares and criticism, and less inclined to dramatize their relationship. Moments when they forgot she was there."
You can see a portfolio of her images on her website.
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