Until the mid-1990s, Albania criminalized homosexuality with imprisonment. Three decades later, the country has opened up in many ways, yet the LGBT community still bears the scars of that past. Intolerance and oppression linger, and even today, meeting spaces remain veiled and secretive to some degree.
The project behind A rainbow over Albania, conceived by Miguel Tortosa from Alicante, aims to capture more than photorealism. It offers a social narrative that champions a fairer, more tolerant society. Some photographs from the series are now on view at the Leica Gallery in Madrid, where 15 of the 35 works are exhibited, created by this photographer who sought to tell these stories visually.
The initial contact with Albania came through a United Nations program that offered project data and connected Tortosa with local networks. He arrived with a Leica Q2 in April, a camera provided by the brand that supported a two-month stay. A central figure in the narrative is David, Albania’s first transgender man, who demonstrated courage by sharing his story on social networks over a year and a half ago. Tortosa, born in Onil, studied photography across the United States, Shanghai, and Italy, and drew on that experience to frame this story across urban and rural landscapes.
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From the outset, trusted members of the LGBT community opened doors to researchers, enabling a visual narration that explores the country’s stories, lives, and concerns. The project asserts that this is a tale that must be told because acceptance remains uneven. It highlights discreet meeting places where couples can briefly gather, the challenges many lesbians face within family and social structures, and the arduous journey many transgender individuals endure to obtain medical treatment abroad. There is no place in the country that is openly LGBT friendly, yet there are shelters where young individuals can find a measure of safety, and a carefully maintained map helps record these discreet refuges.
In undertaking A rainbow over Albania, the photographer recalls the fortunate timing that made the project possible, especially in Tirana and its surrounding regions. He notes that meeting various profiles through this work created a comprehensive portrayal. The United Nations enabled access to associations and shelters that would have been difficult to reach otherwise. Initial invitations to public spaces evolved into deeper trust, allowing access to more intimate settings.
Stories of discrimination, struggle, and resilience emerge from a country not among the harshest offenders but one where traditional norms slow changes. The project envisions a future where these narratives travel beyond borders, seeking venues that can host the exhibition to broaden awareness and dialogue. The traveling show is planned for the following year with the support of diplomatic channels abroad that facilitate venues for these photographs.
Next destination: Ciudad Juárez with a New World collaboration
The photographer continues to work as a freelancer for Getty Images and for international non-governmental organizations. Among these partners is the Red Cross and a culinary initiative associated with a prominent Spanish chef. A recent trip to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, will document more stories over two weeks. The work is part of a broader commitment to bringing international attention to LGBTQ experiences and human rights through visual storytelling.
Miguel Tortosa has been recognized with invitations to prestigious programs and awards that celebrate documentary photography and social impact, underscoring the role of image-making in advocacy and cultural understanding.