be:longing is a project about older Muslim trans women in Yogyakarta on Java, Indonesia and how they create a sense of belonging on their own terms.
Religion plays a central role in Indonesia. Nearly 90 percent of the population is Muslim. People of the queer community navigate the challenge of reconciling their faith, their identity and society’s expectations. Trans women, who are usually referred to as waria in Indonesia, have long been part of Javanese culture, but they often face rejection from their families and are excluded from society.
In Yogyakarta a strong community of trans women has established its own spaces over generations, shaping visibility, solidarity and belonging on their own terms. At the Pondok Pesantren Al-Fatah Quran school, they meet with friends to study the Quran and pray. They organise numerous programmes that promote dialogue with society and educate about gender diversity. At the Waria Crisis Centre (WCC), they find a home in old age, illness or difficult phases of life.
be:longing was awarded second place in the ‘Portraiture’ category (Professional Competition) at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards.
