Maga.19,is from Echmiadzin (Armavir region). She is working as a hairdresser in her city during the day and as a sex worker at night in Yerevan (capital of Armenia).
A year ago Beyonce left Armenia for better life.
Layma, 30. Many of the transgender sex workers lived or live in Layma's apartment. She is working as a sex worker but dreams of having another job.
Layma, 30, many of transgendered sex workers lived or live in Layma's apartment. She is working as a sex worker but dreams of having another job.
Sometimes Lorena dances at the strip club with female dancers.
Sometimes Lorena is dancing at the strip club with female dancers.
A transgender party in one of the night clubs in Yerevan.
A transgender party in one of the night clubs in Yerevan.
Vika, 21, is from Abovyan city. She lives with other transgender women in an apartment in Yerevan. She has been working as a sex worker for 2 years, but her family doesn’t know what she does.
My photo story portrays cross dressers and transgender women that engage in sex work in Yerevan, Armenia — the most vulnerable and at-risk group in Armenia. The subjects in my photographs are predominantly young adults who have been cast off from society, who cannot find another job because of their appearance. Many of them have had a difficult childhood; they were sexually assaulted at a young age, grew up in orphanages, lived in socially insecure situations or under the care of a single parent. Being deprived of family, education and employment, many of them chose the easiest though most dangerous way to make money. Many transgender sex workers dream of having another job, a house, a family. Sometimes they organize private transgender social gatherings, where they party and dance until dawn. Transgender sex workers mainly live apart from their families, renting alone, or with a few people (in the same apartment).
Vika, 21, is from Abovyan City. She lives with other transgender women in an apartment in Yerevan. She has been working as a sex worker for 2 years, but her family doesn’t know what she does.