Art, more than anything, opens up the possibility of approaching one's own sexuality beyond the limits imposed by taboos. Not only does it allow for a risk-free, playful exploration of gender and forbidden desires, but it is unique in capturing its contradictions.

In recent years, a young and active queer photography scene has emerged, helped in large part by social media. Indulging their desire for self-presentation, affirmation, and reflection, many photographers portray male homosexuality in particular as a private idyll. At the same time, they shine a critical light on their own and society's approach to transsexuality and gender roles and expose the corrupting but also affirmative power of pornography.

Films, series, and mainstream cultural appropriation suggest that society has largely embraced queer lifestyles. However, a number of documentary photographers provide evidence that being gay or lesbian can still lead to marginalization, isolation, stigmatization, and violence in certain countries and communities. Their works also take the regime of sexuality itself into account and show that many bans on same-sex contact have colonial origins.

This carefully researched and richly designed book introduces 52 contemporary photographers, including those of well-established notoriety as well as plenty of unknown and less well-known talent.

Texts by: Ben Miller, Edna Bonhomme, Alexander Chee, Gert Jonkers, Shiv Kotecha and Huw Lemmey.

Photographs by: Mohamad Abdouni, Michael Bailey-Gates, Damien Blottière, Gianfranco Briceño, Francesco Cascavilla, Lia Clay Miller, Maika Elan, Kostis Fokas, Benjamin Fredrickson, Milan Gies, Goodyn Green, Julia Gunther, Alexandre Haefeli, Robin Hammond, Florian Hetz, Jonathan Icher, Claudia Kent, Jan Klos, Matt Lambert, Pepper Levain, Daniel Jack Lyons, Maria Clara Macrì, Mark McKnight, Rafael Medina, Melody Melamed, Manuel Moncayo, Hao Nguyen, Ralf Obergfell, Joseph, Wolfgang Ohlert, Brian Oldham, Laurence Philomène, Pauliana Valente Pimentel, Bettina Pittaluga, Laurence Rasti, Red Rubber Road, Spyros Rennt, Jordan Reznick, Lissa Rivera, Ashkan Sahihi, Bradley Secker, M. Sharkey, Shahria Sharmin, Christopher Sherman, Donal Talbot, Dustin Thierry, Birk Thomassen, Lasha Fox Tser tsvadze, Luis Venegas, Lukas Viar, Danielle Villasana, Gerardo Vizmanos and Soraya Zaman.