Introito, A weekly memory journey around the Central Cemetery of Bogota (Col)

Introito is a photographic exploration of faith, memory, and resistance within Bogotá’s trans and gender-diverse community. Every Monday, sex workers—many of whom are trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming—gather at the Central Cemetery to honor lost companions, victims of systemic violence, transphobia, and unsafe body modification practices. They visit unmarked graves, offer prayers to forgotten souls, and place their trust in popular saints for protection and prosperity.

Developed through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, Introito was built on trust and deep engagement with the community over more than a year. By immersing in their daily lives, the project centers their voices and experiences, highlighting their resilience and spiritual practices on their own terms.

These rituals are more than acts of devotion; they are a form of survival, a way to reclaim space, and a testament to collective strength. Through recurring gestures of faith, they create a spiritual refuge in a society that often marginalizes them. Introito captures these sacred moments, where remembrance becomes an act of defiance and community care.

Recognized for its powerful storytelling, Introito won the 2015 Chronicle on the Daily Life of Bogotá Award, presented by Idartes (Colombia). The project has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art of Bogotá (MaMBO) and numerous other venues, bringing visibility to the lives and struggles of Bogotá’s trans and gender-diverse communities.