In the photograph, Tania’s gaze is reflected in the rearview mirror of her car, a look marked by sadness and the weight of memory. We are returning from the Sant Boi asylum, one of the places that left an indelible mark on her life. It was there, at just 16 years old, that she was confined to “cure” her identity—deemed an illness—through electroshock therapy. The reflection of her eyes captures the emotional intensity of the moment, as the memory of that institutional violence resurfaces. The photo is part of a documentary retracing the key places of her story in and around Barcelona.
Tania in a Madrid club in 1977
The photograph shows Tania Navarro leaving the Modelo prison in Barcelona, a site that was once a symbol of repression during Franco’s regime. Her expression conveys a sense of reflection as she stands in front of the prison, a place where she was incarcerated multiple times under the dictatorship. The Modelo prison, which held political and social prisoners, is now a cultural center dedicated to historical memory, marking a significant transformation of the site. The contrast between the prison’s past as a place of repression and its present role as a center for remembrance is evident in the photo. Tania’s experience, including twelve arrests and her time in prison, is a part of the broader history of persecution faced by many under Franco’s rule. The image captures this moment in history, symbolizing both the personal and collective struggles for freedom and recognition.
The police file from one of the various arrests in 1976
Tania walking through the corridors of the prison where she spent part of her youth incarcerated.
The photograph shows Tania Navarro at the age of 16 in 1972, following her first arrest. She appears with short hair, a result of being forcibly cut while in prison. The image captures the moment shortly after this act, which was part of the standard procedure to strip prisoners of their individuality. At the time, Tania was detained under the oppressive policies of Franco’s regime
Tania proudly holding a photo of her frontline participation in the first Gay Pride in Spain, held in Barcelona in 1977
In the photograph, Tania Navarro holds an image taken during the first Gay Pride in Barcelona in 1977. In it, Tania and other trans women lead the parade, once again putting their bodies on the front line in the fight for rights and visibility. Despite Franco’s death two years earlier, the Ley de Peligrosidad Social was still in effect in 1977, a law that allowed the arrest of homosexuals and trans people, considered dangerous to social order. The Gay Pride demonstration was brutally repressed by the police with batons, marking the regime’s resistance to the visibility of marginalized communities. In 1977, despite the political amnesty of 1976, Spanish prisons continued to imprison trans and homosexual people simply for their sexual identity. This photograph represents not only a historical moment of struggle and courage but also a testimony to the bravery of trans women, who fought for their rights despite the severe difficulties and violence they faced.
One of the rare photos from Tania’s archive that survived the house fire two decades ago — showing a young Tania at the beach.
In the photograph, Tania stands in the shower, water running down her body, exposing one of the harshest consequences of her past: her entire right leg is stained a deep purple, an irreversible result of liquid silicone injections she underwent in her youth. This procedure, often used by many trans women due to the lack of access to safe and affordable surgeries, not only causes severe physical harm but remains, even today, one of the leading causes of premature death within this community.
Tania during a cabaret runway show in the 1980s, where the Miss Trans title was being awarded. She is pointing at herself with her finger.
The photograph shows Tania Navarro in Barceloneta, the maritime district of Barcelona, walking toward the beach. The sea represents a place of refuge and tranquility for Tania, a place where she feels at ease.
The photograph shows Tania Navarro presenting her second book. Despite being semi-literate, Tania has written and published two books about her life, sharing her experiences with a wider audience. Her expression is focused, reflecting the pride she feels in her work. In recent years, Tania has traveled extensively across Spain to present her books, engaging with people and sharing her story. The photo captures a moment of accomplishment, highlighting her resilience and determination to be heard, despite the challenges she has faced throughout her life.
The handwritten pages of Tania’s autobiographical book, written in a neorealist style reminiscent of Pasolini
The photo reveals three constant companions from Tania’s recent years: the TV remote, her phone, and her Ventolin inhaler. Sadly, her lungs have weakened, and she has been admitted to the hospital dozens of times in recent years.
One of the few young portraits of Tania exhibited in her home
The photograph shows Tania Navarro in her home, preparing lunch. She appears focused on the task at hand, standing in her kitchen as she cooks. The setting is simple, and Tania’s posture suggests a quiet, routine moment in her daily life. The contrast between her current solitude and the vibrant life she led in her youth. As a member of the LGBT community, and especially as a trans woman, Tania’s experiences were marked by uncertainty, with little prospect of a long future due to the social and medical challenges of the time. Her earlier years were filled with parties, travel, and a busy social life, as she lived in the moment, uncertain of what the future would bring. Now, in her older years, she faces solitude, a common experience for many older LGBT individuals, particularly those in the trans community.
The photograph shows Tania Navarro right after a presentation of her book. Her cheerful character and infectious laughter are evident as she laughs heartily. This joyful moment reflects her resilient spirit and her approach to life, despite the difficulties and challenges she has faced over the years. Her laughter seems to serve as an antidote, a way to overcome pain and loneliness, to endure, and to continue living with strength. Despite having gone through moments of great suffering, Tania is able to express happiness, recalling her ability to find light even in the darkest circumstances. The photograph captures a side of her that conveys hope and strength, a symbol of someone who has resisted and found their way despite it all.
The photograph depicts Tania Navarro in Madame Jasmine, one of the historic queer bars in the heart of the Raval district in Barcelona. This is Tania’s favorite neighborhood, a place where she spent her youth after the dictatorship. Here, she worked as a prostitute when she was young, but also lived through parties, loves, and encounters that defined the post-Franco era. In the 1980s, the country was blossoming after the dictator’s death, and Tania often says that it was the best time of her life, a period of freedom and discovery. The Raval is the place where Tania first experienced her freedom, a neighborhood that grew and transformed along with the city itself.
An intimate photo of Tania while she sleeps — by now, the relationship we’ve built is one of deep trust and closeness
Tania Navarro is a trans woman who embodies resilience and survival in a historical context of extreme oppression and discrimination. Born and raised in a Spain ruled by Franco’s regime, her life has been marked by abuse, social exclusion, and a relentless struggle to affirm her identity. Forced to live on the streets at just 10 years old after being rejected by her family, Tania began prostituting herself at the age of 12 to survive. At 16, she was institutionalized in the Sant Boi asylum, where she underwent electroshock therapy to “cure” her trans identity—a cruel and inhumane practice typical of an era that viewed diversity as a pathology. During Franco’s dictatorship, Tania was arrested 12 times and imprisoned in Barcelona’s Modelo prison, a place that became a symbol of the regime’s repression against those who dared to defy its rigid social norms. Despite these persecutions, she found the strength to fight for her freedom and that of the LGBTQ+ community, becoming one of the organizers and participants of Barcelona’s first Gay Pride in 1977. Of all the trans women from that era, Tania is the only survivor in the city. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Francisco Franco, a pivotal moment in Spanish history. Tania, as a survivor of Franco’s regime, is uniquely positioned to live through this anniversary, a moment that bears significant emotional weight for her and many others who suffered under his rule. This commemoration brings new light to her incredible journey of survival, as she stands as a living testament to the strength of those who endured the regime’s violence, exclusion, and repression. In the 1980s, Tania faced further challenges: the AIDS epidemic that decimated the LGBTQ+ community, her battles with drug and alcohol addiction, and a society still steeped in discrimination. Yet, she managed to survive, becoming a living witness to a painful past and a voice for those who are no longer here. Today, Tania represents a figure of extraordinary historical significance. Her life is a story of resistance and survival—of someone who fought not only against an oppressive regime but also against social and personal prejudice. This photographic project celebrates her strength, documenting a story that must not be forgotten, so that future generations can understand the cost of freedom and visibility.
