Life is extremely difficult for young LGBT people in Baghdad. State homophobia is growing stronger every day. Young people must hide their identity to survive.

Al-Mutanabbi Street is an important place in Baghdad. It is where people meet and gather. But even there, LGBT youth must be careful. They cannot show their identity freely.

Iraq has no laws protecting LGBT people. The state and society often reject them instead. The risks are extremely serious. Some young people face arrest or violence.

Despite these dangers, Baghdad's LGBT youth find solutions. They use phone applications to contact each other. They meet secretly in private places. They create support networks among themselves.

These young people show great ingenuity to live authentically. They use codes and discreet signs. They know exactly who to trust. Caution is a daily survival rule.

The situation has worsened in recent years. Religious and political groups apply strong pressure. Local media often broadcast homophobic messages. This creates constant fear and anxiety.

Some young people dream of leaving Iraq. They hope to find a safer country. But leaving is not easy. It requires money and official documents.

International organizations try to help them. They provide information about political asylum. They support people in danger. But their work in Iraq remains very limited and risky.

These Baghdad youth show tremendous courage. They refuse to abandon their identity. They build an invisible yet real community. Their silent resistance is a form of struggle for rights.

Photographer Pauline Gauer's work accompanies this report. It shows the hidden reality of this youth. These images testify to life lived in shadow.