GAZE is a nationwide photography competition in Germany for the LGBTQIA+ community. In the three categories – "Pride in Action", "Pride Portraits", and "Everyday Pride" – you can showcase your diverse perspectives on queer life, both in big cities and especially in small towns. The competition is open to everyone who identifies as part of the queer community and is at least 18 years old. The submission period runs from June 1 to September 7 (extended deadline), 2025.
Submit your photos now!
29.10.25
We invite you to the exhibition "Wir existieren und wir bleiben. Queer Visibilities in Photography“
7 – 12 November 2025
GlogauAIR, Glogauer Str. 16, Berlin 10999
Opening: 7th November 2025, 6–10pm
Opening Hours: 12–7pm
“Wir existieren und wir bleiben“ (we exist and we are here to stay) is both a photography exhibition and a protest shining a spotlight on queer experiences—from intimate portraits and everyday observations to activist imagery. On display are the award-winning works of the queer photo award GAZE, which invites queer people to make their personal perspectives on queer life visible and to confidently take up space. Photography becomes an instrument of self-empowerment. The focus is not only on the final image, but also on the question of the meaning of queer visibility. Who looks at us and how? And what does it mean when we share how we see ourselves? When we bring our images together and recognize each other? When we encourage each other to raise of voices and say: We exist and we are here to stay!
01.10.25
Wow—we are thrilled! We received so many great submissions, and the jury really had a difficult task. Now the time has come:
We are delighted to announce the winners of GAZE—the queer photo award:
1st place Pride in Action
María José Celis, Beginners Performance, Cologne 2024
Runners-up:
Richard Wolf & Pia Damster, No Border No Nation, Queer Liberation!, Frankfurt (Oder) 2024
Alexander Sauther, Untitled, Stuttgart 2023
1st place Pride Portrait
Tansu Kayaalp, Naeem three months after top surgery, Berlin 2025
Runners-up:
Jo Birdsell, Westside Butch 3, Ohio 2025
j. Haeusser, threads and pressure points, Saarbrücken 2024
1st place Everyday Pride
Markus Heft, für uns geträumt (dreamed for us), Hanover 2025
Runners-up:
Genesis Kahveci, Newfangled/Erinnerungss+chtig, Germany/Spain 2023
Tilda Schneider, Polaroids 24 Stunden Tilda (sie/ihr*), Braunschweig 2024
08.09.25
The submission phase is closed. The jury will now take their time to review all entries. We will announce the winners on September 30, 2025.
29.08.25
We have received so many beautiful submission, that we decided to extend the deadline of the open call. Send us your pictures for queer visibility until 7. September 2025, 11:59pm.
Submit photos here
20.08.25
With the exhibition „We won’t be erased“, we are giving your photographs a space. We will display the award-winning works and all other submissions. We have launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance the exhibition—and we need your support.
Visit our crowdfunding campaign, share our call and leave us a donation if you can.
16.05.25
Just 16 days to go!The submission phase for our new LGBTQIA photo competition GAZE is about to start – launching on June 1st! Whether it's Pride portraits, everyday moments, or images from demonstrations – show us your perspective. Follow us on Instagram @gaze.photoaward for the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes insights!
