Presented in collaboration with Melkweg Expo
Pride Photo is proud to partner with Melkweg Expo to present Legacies of Identity: Queer Histories of Third Genders, a new photography exhibition opening on 17 July 2025. The opening event will take place from 17:30 to 20:30 at Melkweg Expo in Amsterdam, and all are warmly invited to attend.
This timely exhibition focuses on rich and longstanding traditions of gender diversity in LGBTQIA+ communities around the world—traditions in which third and trans genders are visible, respected, and culturally integrated. From the Muxes in Mexico to the Waria in Indonesia, these identities are not new or marginal; they are deeply rooted in local histories and challenge dominant narratives of gender as binary or fixed.
Legacies of Identity highlights the power of cultural memory and continuity. At a time when queer and trans lives are increasingly under threat, through legislation, censorship, and social exclusion, this exhibition celebrates stories of survival, dignity, and belonging. It is a reminder that queer people have always existed and continue to shape vibrant, complex communities.
Through the work of photographers Nelson Morales, Jairo Nicolás Bernal, Sumi Anjuman, Vaughan Larsen, Supranav Dash, JeanPaul Paula, Yoppy Pieter, and Su Cassiano, the exhibition explores themes such as colonialism, class, spirituality, and gender expression. These portraits and narratives offer more than representation; they are acts of resistance and care.
Together with Melkweg Expo, Pride Photo affirms the importance of protecting queer cultural heritage and amplifying voices that are often overlooked. These histories are not relics—they are alive, evolving, and vital.
Legacies of Identity is made possible with support from the Mondriaan Fund, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, the Culture Fund, and the Pictoright Fund.
We invite all visitors to engage with these powerful visual stories, reflect on their significance, and stand in solidarity with global queer communities past and present.
