ANAGNORISIS (2024)

The first great act of love one human being can offer another is recognition (anagnorisis, from ancient Greek).

This reportage explores the issue of eating disorders among LGBTQIA+ individuals, who, according to recent studies, experience higher incidence rates compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This vulnerability is often linked to minority stress, characterized by experiences of discrimination, bullying, violence, and the challenges related to coming out, building relationships, transitioning, and gender-affirming hormone therapies.

The widespread perception that eating disorders primarily affect women contributes to significant underdiagnosis within the LGBTQIA+ community, which is less likely to seek help. This bias can lead individuals to receive support only at advanced stages of the illness—or, in some cases, not at all.

The project tells the stories of four individuals (Andrea, Geo, Edoardo, and River) and highlights the invisibility of minorities, the impact of diet culture, weight stigma, and the obsession with body image.

For these individuals, eating disorders represent a deep pain, difficult to put into words—a form of anesthesia that numbs not only hunger but also thoughts and emotions perceived as dangerous.

The photographs visually explore the mental landscapes of young adults who, feeling invisible and insignificant in a society that is often homophobic and transphobic, attempt to express themselves through the control—or loss of control—over food, weight, and their bodies. In this mechanism, they find a fragile hope —often paid at a high price—of finally being seen, recognized, and loved.

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In ancient Greek, the term anagnorisis (ἀναγνώρισις) means 'recognition' and is a recurring element in narrative works. It indicates the moment when the hero discovers his true identity or is recognised by others, thus acquiring a new awareness of reality.