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Christian Orthodox worshippers hold up candles during the ceremony of the "Holy Fire" as thousands gather in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, on April 15, 2017, during Orthodox Easter ceremonies. The ceremony celebrated in the same way for eleven centuries, is marked by the appearance of "sacred fire" in the two cavities on either side of the Holy Sepulchre.
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NIR YITZHAK, ISRAEL - APRIL 18, 2016: An Israeli boy hugs a bundle of flowers in a buttercup field near Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in southern Israel, just outside the Gaza Strip April 18, 2016.
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HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 23, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 23, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Female masker Chris, 49, heterosexual man, alias Romy von Dornfelder
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AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 05, 2015: Portrait of female masker Christian alias 'Chrissie Seams', double the age of his alter ego, in his living-room, August 05, 2015 in Augsburg, Germany. Female masking presents an outlet for him, as a heterosexual and cisgender male, to live out his female side and latex fetish. On his right stand a variety of masks that he uses for experimenting with airbrushing and other alteration techniques in order to individualise the look of his alter ego. "Since my childhood I have been fascinated by latex, which very soon merged with my aspirations to look as sexy as a woman. I remember the first time I had the wish to slip into a woman’s skin was at the age of 14 when I saw a model wearing sexy lingerie in a Penthouse magazine. I imagined slipping into her skin, like slipping into a surface made from latex. I love the feeling of being encapsulated and the sensitization from head to toe when wearing latex. At the same time I endeavor aesthetics. Visually, I only like latex on women, hence I don’t gain anything from my fetish if not dressed as a woman myself. Many times I wondered if there was a Chrissie if it wasn’t for my passion for latex." - Female masker Christian alias Chrissie Seams, heterosexual man, double the age of his alter ego
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Portrait of Asiyatu, 12, October 24, 2017, in Chisongwe Village, Balaka District, Malawi. After dropping out of school due to poverty, she was able to continue her education thanks to intervention by Mother Group.
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Portrait of Grace, 12, during her class at Chisongwe primary school, October 24, 2017, in Chisongwe village, Malawi.
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Portrait of Mary, 16, Isha, 15, Eliza, 17, Janet, 15, Edna, 15, Rhoda, 15 and Alefa, 14 (L-R) with their bicycles, that they received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A boy wearing a Red Army uniform poses for a portrait during an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, May 7, 2016.
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ELZE, GERMANY - AUGUST 20, 2015: Female masker and transexual woman Katrina, 46, dressed as a rubberdoll, August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany. "What fascinates me is the immunity. The ‘being-me’. You are encapsulated. Like in a cocoon. They don’t see you. They don’t see your mimic, if you laugh or if you cry. The unknown behind it. This anonymity." "My fetish started with me wearing household gloves when I was eleven years old. I continuously bought new ones, these very tight ones. Being inside them was a phenomenal feeling for me. Then there was the fact that I pulled everything over my head at that age. I am not entirely sure how this came about, I really like masks but how could you buy anything if you barely have pocket money. I then got the idea with my pyjamas whose arms and legs I turned inside out with the result that I wore four layers of fabric over my head. Later I secretly took my mother’s tights... Maybe I wanted to hide. Maybe I already felt that I was not in the right body. The idea that 'my real me is not there' fascinated me. This is how I built my own small world." - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman
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HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 21, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Nicole van Diesten, August 21, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. I have six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
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CAMBRIDGE, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24, 2014: Transgender woman Buntu Karabo Xabanisa, 22, in her home in Cambridge, an informal settlement in Cambridge, East London, South Africa, where she lives together with her grandmother in a shack, August 24, 2014. Unlike many other transgender women who are scare of hate crimes, a common phenomenon in Africa's heteropatriarchal culture, she feels happy and safe in her community.
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Rhoda (C ), 15, attends a class at Chembera secondary school, October 26, 2017, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A boy wearing a navy uniform takes part in an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, Israel, May 7, 2016.
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DIMONA, ISRAEL - MAY 18, 2016: Members of the African Hebrew Israelite community, popularly known as "the Black Hebrews", take part in celebrations for New World Passover, marking their exodus from the United States, in the southern city of Dimona May 18, 2016.
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BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY - JUNE 20, 2016: Portrait of female masker Andre, 30, alias 'Lisa Kirschbaum', in his bedroom , June 20, 2016 in Braunschweig, Germany. Being a heterosexual man, Andre transforms into his alter ego at least once a week to live out his female side and sexuality. Developed from his fantasies and projections, Lisa embodies the woman of his dreams. Especially wedding dresses with large puff sleeves fascinate him as they engender a femininity that barely any other piece of clothing is able to achieve. "Looking back, I find that almost all of my proclivites are based in my childhood. My weakness for latex for instance began at the age of three, when I loved wearing rubberboots, tight snowsuits and especially latex gloves. I also used to have two bridal barbie-dolls, which disappeared for reasons I don’t know. For a while I also aspired to be a girl and to wear bows in my hair. With 25 years of age I took all my courage to finally buy my first catsuit for women. I have been working on my perfection ever since and invested in my dream outfit. I especially love US wedding dresses from the 1980s with large puff sleeves. Regardless of which colour or material, if they are from latex, leather or satin, they engender a high level of femininity unlike any other piece of clothing. - Female masker Andre, 30 alias Lisa Kirschbaum, heterosexual man
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Portrait of Rhoda, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Portrait of Isha, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Transgender woman Wandile Dyoba, 27, in her student residences room in East London, South Africa on August 30, 2014. She studies education and development and grew up in Komga, a rural area in South Africa, which was a big challenge for her since people did not know what transgenderism is.
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Ultra-Orthodox Jews wearing costumes celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel, March 13, 2017. The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther.
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KOMGA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 29, 2014: Transgender woman Sphomandla Plaatyie, 23, sits on her bed in her home in Komga, a rural area in South Africa, August 29, 2014. At the age of 18 Sphomandla and one of her transgender friends were beaten up on grounds of their gender identities by two men; Sphomandla was able to escape while her friend was killed that night. Hate crimes are common phenomeon in Africa, since homosexuality and trangenderism are perceived as 'un-African'.
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ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A girl wearing a Red Army uniform poses for a portrait during an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, May 7, 2016.
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MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 04, 2015: Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman 'Bear Girl', 39, in her kitchen, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany. "My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. " - Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman
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HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 22, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Cecilia Mc Arthur, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. Therefore, he often chooses photogenic outdoor location, like woods or moorland. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Female Masker Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
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MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 04, 2015: Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman Leyla alias 'Bear Girl', 39, while she is taking a walk, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany. "My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. " - Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman
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Portrait of Rhoda, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Portrait of Bertha, 43, a member of the 'Mother Group', at her home, October 28, 2017, in Chisongwe Village, Balaka District, Malawi. The 'Mother Group' is a group of mothers who dedicate themselves to encourage girls, that dropped out of school, to pursue their education. The bicycle was gifted to the Mother Group by Oxfam to help facilitate their work.
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JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - APRIL 24, 2016: Christian visitors are seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Orthodox Holy Week in Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2016.
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Portrait of Shakira, 12, at her home, October 25, 2017, in Chibwanamsamala Village, Balaka District, Malawi. Shakira dropped out of school due to mobbing and was later able to continue her education thanks to project interventions.
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Portrait of Eliza, 17, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Portrait of Rhoda, 15, in her home, before she cycles to Chembera secondary school, October 27, 2017, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Transgender woman Lindani Beejay, 19, in her home in the township Ziphunzana in East London, South Africa on August 24, 2014. When she came out as transgender at the age of 9 her mother refused to speak to her for about a year until she eventually accepted her for who she is. Beejay is scared to not find a job because she believes that most people do no like transgender women.
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JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - APRIL 30, 2016: An Orthodox Christian worshipper holds a pack of candles as she takes part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City during the Easter holiday, April 30, 2016.
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MASINGATHA, KING WILLIAMS TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 08, 2014: Transgender woman Sipho Quamgqa, 24, holds her nephew in her home in Masingatha, a rural area in King Williams Town, South Africa, August 08, 2014. Due to a lack of education about transgenderism Sipho and the people in her community refer to her as a gay male. However, inside herself she has been feeling like a woman since childhood when she was playing with dolls instead of boys‘ toys.
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JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 20, 2016: Roman Catholic worshippers hold palm branches during a procession on Palm Sunday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on March 20, 2016. Palm Sunday traditionally falls on the Sunday before Easter, and it commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, according to Christian tradition.
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KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - February 08, 2015: During their Sunday's workshop, Empress (L ) and Naphiteta (R ) sit on a couch in front of a poster of Haile Selassie in the home of Sister Kerri at Judah Square, Knysna, South Africa on February 08, 2015. The workshops are designed to teach the children about Rastafari culture of that religion is an important part. The Rastafari movement is seen as an extension of Christianity, that praises Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930-1970, as the second coming of Jesus Christ on Earth.
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KWELERA, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 21, 2014: Transgender woman Lazola Canzibe alias Mama Africa, 24, poses on the couch in her cousin's home September 21, 2014 in Kwelera, East London, South Africa. Together with her aunt she lives in a house next door, helping with daily duties such as cleaning, cooking and collecting firewood.
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Portrait of Edna, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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Portrait of Janet, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
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HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 22, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
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GÖPPINGEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 21, 2016: Female masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, poses for a portrait in his home on February 21, 2016 in Göppingen, Germany. 'Giving up my manlihood by dressing as a rubberdoll exemplifies 'his bow to the beauty of femininity'. - Female Masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, heterosexual man
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Portrait of Alice, 17, and her son Wisdom, at their home, October 28, 2017, Chisongwe village, Balaka District, Malawi. Alice dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, nevertheless desires to continue her education soon in order to enhance the prospects for her future, such as finding employment and being able to sustain herself.
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ELZE, GERMANY - AUGUST 20, 2015: Female masker and transsexual woman Katrina, 46, in front of her home August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany. "What fascinates me is the immunity. The ‘being-me’. You are encapsulated. Like in a cocoon. They don’t see you. They don’t see your mimic, if you laugh or if you cry. The unknown behind it. This anonymity." - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman "In latex I am courageous. I like the provocation when going out in public as a rubberdoll. You don’t see latex on every street corner, in the eyes of most people you are perverted or abnormal. That makes me think ‘I show you that there is something else’. " - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman
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KWELERA, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 27, 2014: Transgender woman Lazola Canzibe alias 'Mama Africa', 24, lies on her bed wearing traditional Xhosa clothing August 27, 2014 in Kwelera, East London, South Africa. Identifying as a female, Lazola sticks to the traditional gender roles in her community in that women are the homekeepers whose main duties are cleaning, cooking, fetching water, collecting firewood and looking after the children.
Christian Orthodox worshippers hold up candles during the ceremony of the "Holy Fire" as thousands gather in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, on April 15, 2017, during Orthodox Easter ceremonies. The ceremony celebrated in the same way for eleven centuries, is marked by the appearance of "sacred fire" in the two cavities on either side of the Holy Sepulchre.
NIR YITZHAK, ISRAEL - APRIL 18, 2016: An Israeli boy hugs a bundle of flowers in a buttercup field near Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in southern Israel, just outside the Gaza Strip April 18, 2016.
HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 23, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 23, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Female masker Chris, 49, heterosexual man, alias Romy von Dornfelder
AUGSBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 05, 2015: Portrait of female masker Christian alias 'Chrissie Seams', double the age of his alter ego, in his living-room, August 05, 2015 in Augsburg, Germany. Female masking presents an outlet for him, as a heterosexual and cisgender male, to live out his female side and latex fetish. On his right stand a variety of masks that he uses for experimenting with airbrushing and other alteration techniques in order to individualise the look of his alter ego. "Since my childhood I have been fascinated by latex, which very soon merged with my aspirations to look as sexy as a woman. I remember the first time I had the wish to slip into a woman’s skin was at the age of 14 when I saw a model wearing sexy lingerie in a Penthouse magazine. I imagined slipping into her skin, like slipping into a surface made from latex. I love the feeling of being encapsulated and the sensitization from head to toe when wearing latex. At the same time I endeavor aesthetics. Visually, I only like latex on women, hence I don’t gain anything from my fetish if not dressed as a woman myself. Many times I wondered if there was a Chrissie if it wasn’t for my passion for latex." - Female masker Christian alias Chrissie Seams, heterosexual man, double the age of his alter ego
Portrait of Asiyatu, 12, October 24, 2017, in Chisongwe Village, Balaka District, Malawi. After dropping out of school due to poverty, she was able to continue her education thanks to intervention by Mother Group.
Portrait of Grace, 12, during her class at Chisongwe primary school, October 24, 2017, in Chisongwe village, Malawi.
Portrait of Mary, 16, Isha, 15, Eliza, 17, Janet, 15, Edna, 15, Rhoda, 15 and Alefa, 14 (L-R) with their bicycles, that they received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A boy wearing a Red Army uniform poses for a portrait during an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, May 7, 2016.
ELZE, GERMANY - AUGUST 20, 2015: Female masker and transexual woman Katrina, 46, dressed as a rubberdoll, August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany. "What fascinates me is the immunity. The ‘being-me’. You are encapsulated. Like in a cocoon. They don’t see you. They don’t see your mimic, if you laugh or if you cry. The unknown behind it. This anonymity." "My fetish started with me wearing household gloves when I was eleven years old. I continuously bought new ones, these very tight ones. Being inside them was a phenomenal feeling for me. Then there was the fact that I pulled everything over my head at that age. I am not entirely sure how this came about, I really like masks but how could you buy anything if you barely have pocket money. I then got the idea with my pyjamas whose arms and legs I turned inside out with the result that I wore four layers of fabric over my head. Later I secretly took my mother’s tights... Maybe I wanted to hide. Maybe I already felt that I was not in the right body. The idea that 'my real me is not there' fascinated me. This is how I built my own small world." - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman
HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 21, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Nicole van Diesten, August 21, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. I have six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
CAMBRIDGE, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 24, 2014: Transgender woman Buntu Karabo Xabanisa, 22, in her home in Cambridge, an informal settlement in Cambridge, East London, South Africa, where she lives together with her grandmother in a shack, August 24, 2014. Unlike many other transgender women who are scare of hate crimes, a common phenomenon in Africa's heteropatriarchal culture, she feels happy and safe in her community.
Rhoda (C ), 15, attends a class at Chembera secondary school, October 26, 2017, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A boy wearing a navy uniform takes part in an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, Israel, May 7, 2016.
DIMONA, ISRAEL - MAY 18, 2016: Members of the African Hebrew Israelite community, popularly known as "the Black Hebrews", take part in celebrations for New World Passover, marking their exodus from the United States, in the southern city of Dimona May 18, 2016.
BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY - JUNE 20, 2016: Portrait of female masker Andre, 30, alias 'Lisa Kirschbaum', in his bedroom , June 20, 2016 in Braunschweig, Germany. Being a heterosexual man, Andre transforms into his alter ego at least once a week to live out his female side and sexuality. Developed from his fantasies and projections, Lisa embodies the woman of his dreams. Especially wedding dresses with large puff sleeves fascinate him as they engender a femininity that barely any other piece of clothing is able to achieve. "Looking back, I find that almost all of my proclivites are based in my childhood. My weakness for latex for instance began at the age of three, when I loved wearing rubberboots, tight snowsuits and especially latex gloves. I also used to have two bridal barbie-dolls, which disappeared for reasons I don’t know. For a while I also aspired to be a girl and to wear bows in my hair. With 25 years of age I took all my courage to finally buy my first catsuit for women. I have been working on my perfection ever since and invested in my dream outfit. I especially love US wedding dresses from the 1980s with large puff sleeves. Regardless of which colour or material, if they are from latex, leather or satin, they engender a high level of femininity unlike any other piece of clothing. - Female masker Andre, 30 alias Lisa Kirschbaum, heterosexual man
Portrait of Rhoda, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
Portrait of Isha, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
Transgender woman Wandile Dyoba, 27, in her student residences room in East London, South Africa on August 30, 2014. She studies education and development and grew up in Komga, a rural area in South Africa, which was a big challenge for her since people did not know what transgenderism is.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews wearing costumes celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel, March 13, 2017. The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther.
KOMGA, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 29, 2014: Transgender woman Sphomandla Plaatyie, 23, sits on her bed in her home in Komga, a rural area in South Africa, August 29, 2014. At the age of 18 Sphomandla and one of her transgender friends were beaten up on grounds of their gender identities by two men; Sphomandla was able to escape while her friend was killed that night. Hate crimes are common phenomeon in Africa, since homosexuality and trangenderism are perceived as 'un-African'.
ASHDOD, ISRAEL - MAY 07, 2016: A girl wearing a Red Army uniform poses for a portrait during an event in remembrance of the upcoming Victory Day, marking the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, in the southern city of Ashdod, May 7, 2016.
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 04, 2015: Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman 'Bear Girl', 39, in her kitchen, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany. "My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. " - Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman
HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 22, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Cecilia Mc Arthur, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a heterosexual and cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. Therefore, he often chooses photogenic outdoor location, like woods or moorland. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Female Masker Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 04, 2015: Portrait of female masker and transsexual woman Leyla alias 'Bear Girl', 39, while she is taking a walk, August 04, 2015 in Munich, Germany. "My biggest dream is to be a beautiful woman. I am not a topmodel and don't have an ideal physique, but the illusion is almost perfect. It is like being in another world, like a drug. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I have no passion other than that. For me it is a way of living out a deeper part of myself. " - Female Masker Leyla alias Bear Girl, 39, transsexual woman
Portrait of Rhoda, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
Portrait of Bertha, 43, a member of the 'Mother Group', at her home, October 28, 2017, in Chisongwe Village, Balaka District, Malawi. The 'Mother Group' is a group of mothers who dedicate themselves to encourage girls, that dropped out of school, to pursue their education. The bicycle was gifted to the Mother Group by Oxfam to help facilitate their work.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - APRIL 24, 2016: Christian visitors are seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Orthodox Holy Week in Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2016.
Portrait of Shakira, 12, at her home, October 25, 2017, in Chibwanamsamala Village, Balaka District, Malawi. Shakira dropped out of school due to mobbing and was later able to continue her education thanks to project interventions.
Portrait of Eliza, 17, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
Portrait of Rhoda, 15, in her home, before she cycles to Chembera secondary school, October 27, 2017, Balaka District, Malawi.
Transgender woman Lindani Beejay, 19, in her home in the township Ziphunzana in East London, South Africa on August 24, 2014. When she came out as transgender at the age of 9 her mother refused to speak to her for about a year until she eventually accepted her for who she is. Beejay is scared to not find a job because she believes that most people do no like transgender women.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - APRIL 30, 2016: An Orthodox Christian worshipper holds a pack of candles as she takes part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City during the Easter holiday, April 30, 2016.
MASINGATHA, KING WILLIAMS TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 08, 2014: Transgender woman Sipho Quamgqa, 24, holds her nephew in her home in Masingatha, a rural area in King Williams Town, South Africa, August 08, 2014. Due to a lack of education about transgenderism Sipho and the people in her community refer to her as a gay male. However, inside herself she has been feeling like a woman since childhood when she was playing with dolls instead of boys‘ toys.
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 20, 2016: Roman Catholic worshippers hold palm branches during a procession on Palm Sunday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on March 20, 2016. Palm Sunday traditionally falls on the Sunday before Easter, and it commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, according to Christian tradition.
KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - February 08, 2015: During their Sunday's workshop, Empress (L ) and Naphiteta (R ) sit on a couch in front of a poster of Haile Selassie in the home of Sister Kerri at Judah Square, Knysna, South Africa on February 08, 2015. The workshops are designed to teach the children about Rastafari culture of that religion is an important part. The Rastafari movement is seen as an extension of Christianity, that praises Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930-1970, as the second coming of Jesus Christ on Earth.
KWELERA, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 21, 2014: Transgender woman Lazola Canzibe alias Mama Africa, 24, poses on the couch in her cousin's home September 21, 2014 in Kwelera, East London, South Africa. Together with her aunt she lives in a house next door, helping with daily duties such as cleaning, cooking and collecting firewood.
Portrait of Edna, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
Portrait of Janet, 15, with her bicycle, that she received from Oxfam in order to commute to school every morning, October 26, 2017, near Chembera secondary school, Chembera village, Balaka District, Malawi.
HANNOVER, GERMANY - AUGUST 22, 2015: Female masker Chris, 49, dressed as his alter ego Romy von Dornfelder, August 22, 2015 in Hannover, Germany. Being a cisgender man, he has six female alter egos and four male ones, each with their own characteristics and life-stories, which he lives out through photo shoots. "My passion for female masking arose from my weakness for lycra. 1981, when I was 15 years old, aerobics came into fashion and I was jealous of girls being able to wear much more chic clothes than boys could. When finally skintight sportsuits for men were introduced, I got one as a present for my 16th birthday and have been wearing them since. The masks came in addition six years ago and serve as a field for experimentation. Wearing the mask, I don’t feel like a different person, that only takes effect when I look at the photos that I take of these. I then see the fictional characters I create, reflecting a counterpart of myself, a desired partner or something that I lack but wish for." - Chris, 49, heterosexual, alias Romy von Dornfelder
GÖPPINGEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 21, 2016: Female masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, poses for a portrait in his home on February 21, 2016 in Göppingen, Germany. 'Giving up my manlihood by dressing as a rubberdoll exemplifies 'his bow to the beauty of femininity'. - Female Masker Manu, 34, alias Mina, heterosexual man
Portrait of Alice, 17, and her son Wisdom, at their home, October 28, 2017, Chisongwe village, Balaka District, Malawi. Alice dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, nevertheless desires to continue her education soon in order to enhance the prospects for her future, such as finding employment and being able to sustain herself.
ELZE, GERMANY - AUGUST 20, 2015: Female masker and transsexual woman Katrina, 46, in front of her home August 20, 2015 in Elze, Germany. "What fascinates me is the immunity. The ‘being-me’. You are encapsulated. Like in a cocoon. They don’t see you. They don’t see your mimic, if you laugh or if you cry. The unknown behind it. This anonymity." - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman "In latex I am courageous. I like the provocation when going out in public as a rubberdoll. You don’t see latex on every street corner, in the eyes of most people you are perverted or abnormal. That makes me think ‘I show you that there is something else’. " - Female Masker Katrina, 46, transsexual woman
KWELERA, EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 27, 2014: Transgender woman Lazola Canzibe alias 'Mama Africa', 24, lies on her bed wearing traditional Xhosa clothing August 27, 2014 in Kwelera, East London, South Africa. Identifying as a female, Lazola sticks to the traditional gender roles in her community in that women are the homekeepers whose main duties are cleaning, cooking, fetching water, collecting firewood and looking after the children.