Those tempered at daybreak: LGBTQ* eyewitness reports of the war in Ukraine

The artist Stasya Samar from Odesa has portrayed queer eyewitnesses from Southern Ukraine. They speak about their fears and hopes. And about their identity as part of a community - even in the moment of catastrophe.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has called into question fundamental principles of international law and collective security, which is the basis fora modern understanding of human rights and justice.
Ukrainians have come together to defend their homeland. Everything else became secondary. The war has brought death and destruction to many cities. It also leads to radicalisation of society and increased pressure on vulnerable population groups, such as LGBTIQ*.
The exhibition provides insight into the challenges they face: For "Before the Sun Rises", artist Stasya Samar portrayed queer people from Southern Ukraine witnessing the fighting at close quarters.
The stories of 30 queer people address fears and hopes. They report on their identity as part of a community, even in situations where some of them were completely alone in the face of disaster.
The title of the exhibition draws attention to the event that divided the lives of millions of Ukrainians around the world into 'before' and 'after': the morning of 24 February 2022. That was the morning when everything changed.  

Together with Gay Alliance Ukraine, MUNIQYIV and PLUSUkr.de, the Heinrich Böll Foundation presents 12 portraits.