Valerie Pires

Following a nontraditional path, Valerie Pires worked in broadcast journalism and documentary filmmaking in the U.S. and abroad. NYC-based but working globally, Pires focuses on investigative journalism and social documentary (photography and film). Using the written word, stills, and moving images, she develops investigative multimedia storytelling that promotes conversation and helps generate social impact. Pires is especially interested in issues related to human rights, marginalized communities, namely women, immigrants, refugees, and the LGBTQ community, realities of trauma, and stories that address the intersectionality of politics, education, and culture. Her Pulitzer Center-supported multimedia project, "Offtrack: The Long Road to a Second Chance for LGBTQ Refugees in Greece," documents the experiences of LGBTQ asylum-seekers and humanitarian organizations in Greece. Pires is pursuing her BA in Film and Media Studies at Columbia University. IG:@valpnyc |Twitter: @valerie_pires

Electronic images

Pires image 1 Arezou in Athens
Arezou (26), an Iranian lesbian asylum seeker, created her fashion version of Safe Place International's t-shirt created for the Athens Pride Parade. Safe Place International is a humanitarian organization that has a safe house for LGBTQ refugees in Athens. June 12, 2022, Athens, Greece.
Valerie Pires followed a group of asylum seekers and the staff of Safe Place International, a humanitarian organization that offers shelter and support to LGBTQ refugees in Athens, while they prepared for and took part in the Athens Pride Parade. For some, it was not their first time at a Pride event. For others, it was a very significant moment as it was the first time in their lives they experienced the freedom and safety to celebrate their identity publicly.
More about this photo: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/offtrack-long-road-second-chance-lgbtq-refugees-greece
Pires image 2 Eye on the mirror
M., a Moroccan transgender asylum seeker, and A., a transgender refugee from Cameroon, keep an eye on the mirror while makeup retouches are taking place. June 12, 2022, Athens, Greece.
Valerie Pires followed a group of asylum seekers and the staff of Safe Place International, a humanitarian organization that offers shelter and support to LGBTQ refugees in Athens, while they prepared for and took part in the Athens Pride Parade. For some, it was not their first time at a Pride event. For others, it was a very significant moment as it was the first time in their lives they experienced the freedom and safety to celebrate their identity publicly.
More about this photo: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/offtrack-long-road-second-chance-lgbtq-refugees-greece
Pires image 3 Before the Athens Pride Parade at Syntagma Square
At Syntagma Square in Athens, where the pre-parade gathering happens, Josep (right), an asylum seeker from Iraq, and a group of Safe Place International interns wait for the next speaker of the warm-up event. Safe Place International is a humanitarian organization that has a safe house for LGBTQ refugees in Athens. June 12, 2022, Athens, Greece.
Valerie Pires followed a group of asylum seekers and the staff of Safe Place International, a humanitarian organization that offers shelter and support to LGBTQ refugees in Athens, while they prepared for and took part in the Athens Pride Parade. For some, it was not their first time at a Pride event. For others, it was a very significant moment as it was the first time in their lives they experienced the freedom and safety to celebrate their identity publicly.
More about this photo: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/offtrack-long-road-second-chance-lgbtq-refugees-greece
Pires image 4 M. and R. before the Athens Pride Parade at Syntagma Square
M., a Moroccan transgender asylum seeker, and R., a lesbian refugee from Cameroon, wait for the parade to begin at Syntagma Square.
Valerie Pires followed a group of asylum seekers and the staff of Safe Place International, a humanitarian organization that offers shelter and support to LGBTQ refugees in Athens, while they prepared for and took part in the Athens Pride Parade. For some, it was not their first time at a Pride event. For others, it was a very significant moment as it was the first time in their lives they experienced the freedom and safety to celebrate their identity publicly.
More about this photo: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/offtrack-long-road-second-chance-lgbtq-refugees-greece