Namrata's Story

Menstruation is a natural part of every woman’s life, but it was stigmatized in Namrata’s cultural traditions. A simple test was enough to prove them wrong.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Shirley's Story

This trans sex worker loves her job. She just wishes people would change their attitudes about it.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Mihlali's Story

His South African tribes told him he had to de-queer himself in order to be accepted in his community, but they were wrong. All he had to do was move to the city.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Nicole's Story

A woman with a passion for seeing the world sings the praises of traveling alone.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Stephan's Story

It’s easy to assume non-monogamy makes a long-term relationship hard to achieve. For this happy polyamorist, it’s worth the effort.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Pierre's Story

Raising a child is a full-time job, but somebody’s got to do it — so, why does society still look down on stay-at-home dads?

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Damian's Story

When sex work is your side gig, kinky BDSM sessions are sometimes part of the job — and that’s how Damian found his inner dom.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Mrs. SM's Story

Talking about infertility is hard when your culture stigmatizes it. That’s why Mrs. SM is doing it anyway.

katherine inoueMarch 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-V

Ian's Story

When Ian moved to Los Angeles, it was a lonely place to be bisexual. Taking the helm of a local social club, he revitalized and transformed it into a global phenomenon: amBi.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

Seema's Story

Seema became a doctor because she wanted to serve society, but even the best medical care is useless if it’s out of reach. She decided the only thing to do was take her help directly to the communities who needed it most.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020KARTHIK AITHAL, PaintedStories-IV

Elizabeth's Story

Sometimes, a simple act of kindness is all it takes to get you hooked on helping others.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

Salman's Story

Thanks to his country’s homophobic attitudes, it was a struggle to simply admit he was gay. Now, he’s one of Pakistan’s loudest queer voices.

Painted Storieskatherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

YT's Story

Tragedy left her a young widow with limited means and a family to support. She turned her talent for beauty and fashion into a successful business, and now she shares her skills with other women so they can empower themselves, too.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

Rushay's Story

For this South African, the best way to achieve social change is to collaborate at the intersection of art, activism, and education.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

Javier's Story

He created a queer comic to help address anti-LGBT discrimination in Mexico, but stigma kept him from talking about HIV—until a surprise encounter made him realize he was part of the problem himself.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL

RD's Story

He watched for years as litter and pollution desecrated the river he loved. When he decided to wade in and start cleaning it up himself, he found unexpected help.

katherine inoueJanuary 1, 2020PaintedStories-IV, KARTHIK AITHAL