PHOTOS: Becoming Visible in Peru

(c) Above: Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Xavier, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

With this series of brave young men willing to be photographed and identified as gay, collaborators Juan Jose Barboza-Gubo and Andrew Mroczek show how Peru is evolving. They pose the young men in rooms that have begun to crumble to emphasize the social restrictions that are also beginning to crumble, and their nudity echoes their real life vulnerability.

The artists state:

"The subjects in the series Los Chicos represent an important, emerging, community within Peru's culture. Defying patriarchal machismo and the antiquated social mores of masculinity, these young gay men have exhibited tremendous courage and tenacity by allowing themselves to be seen, publicly, as a thriving community within a slowly changing environment of acceptance. This increase in visibility has contributed to an empowered vocalization for equal rights within Peru's LGBTQ communities; specifically, in 2014, the demand for recognized civil unions had become an official component of Peru's political discussions -- a groundbreaking event and a clear first step toward equality.

"And yet, as Lima remains a classist society, the members of the 'upper' classes -- particularly those established by social rank, or those embracing the obligatory silence demanded by a social standing through familial lineage -- maintain a far less public presence. In contrast, and through grassroots efforts, positive changes within the LGBTQ community are primarily introduced by the youth from the supposed 'lower' classes who are consistently becoming more visible.

"The boys have been photographed within one of Peru's hidden manses: a home once lavish and regal, now left nearly neglected, it stands within one of Lima's most revered communities surrounded by pockets of new construction, high-rises, and tourist destinations. It remains a reminder of Peru's magnificence and cultural significance as well as its dysfunctional concepts of class and social rank."

Currently the men are collaborating on a new project: Virgenes de la Puerta, focusing on the transgender women of Lima, who continue to be cast aside by the political and religious powers. See their Kickstarter page here for more information.

See more of their work and collaboration here: Barbozagubo-Mroczek.com

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Bottle, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Sael, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Tin Men, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Mantle, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Pedro, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Eiri, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Jorge Luis, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Altar, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Humberto & Saul, diptych, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Toro, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Kevin, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Vessel, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Freddy, diptych, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

Please click on image for full uncensored view. (c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Juan Jesus, from the series Los Chicos, 2014

(c) Barboza-Gubo & Mroczek, Michael, from the series Los Chicos, 2014