Rainbow Refugees (Stories) - FRANCESCO GIORDANO

Inside and cover of the magazine Rainbow Refugees (Stories)

Rainbow Refugees (Stories) (2019)

Rainbow Refugees (Stories) narrates the stories of 27 LGBTQIA+ refugees facing persecution in their home countries due to their sexual orientation or identity. The majority await information on whether they can stay in Germany or must face rejection and return. Their lives are marked by experiences of violence, oppression, and disappointment, yet also by hope, new encounters, and new beginnings.

The project is a collaboration with the LGBTQIA+ center Sub e.V. in Munich and the Presseclub Munich, involving 40 other journalists and photographers.

For additional information and texts, visit rainbowrefugeesstories.com and explore our Instagram account.

I initiated the magazine project in partnership with journalist Stefanie Witterauf, curating participating photographers and organizing events.

The project received funding from: Münchner Regenbogenstiftung, Deutscher Alpenverein Sektion GOC, NJB, Erzdiözese München und Freising, Migrationsbeirat München, and Lichterkette e.V.

Design by Studio Substance, Quirin Vodermayer.

Photographs I took of Edward Mutebi for Rainbow Refugees (Stories) in Munich 2018 and 2019.

Edward is an LGBTQIA+ activist and founder of a safe housing project for queer people in Uganda Kampala.

In 2018 he had to flee to Germany.

An essential aspect of our project involves interaction and communication with the public. At various events, we provide information about the magazine, shedding light on the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ refugees. Readings and interactive talks have proven to be effective tools.

For the release of the magazine project Rainbow Refugees (Stories), my team and I organized an event at MUCCA Halle in Munich in April 2019. The event featured a group exhibition of participating photographers, a panel discussion on the creation process, a reading with the journalists, and dance performances.

In 2019 and 2020, under my direction, the Rainbow Refugees (Stories) project was exhibited at the World Salon of Winter Tollwood in Munich and in a special exhibition at the BallinStadt Emigration Museum in Hamburg. We also had the opportunity to present the topic at various events, including collaborations with Bellevue di Monaco, the Alte Utting, and during the MedienCampus München.

Explore more of our events on our Instagram account.

Film by Stella Deborah Traub and Jonas Riedinger.

Bellevue di Monaco in Munich, 09/2020 (photos: Sandra Singh)

Auswanderermuseum Ballinstadt, Juni - October 2020 (photos: Gina Bolle)