Martha Tadesse
@marthinolly.bsky.social
Humanitarian photographer
| Feminism ጃስ | 🏳️🌈
Current project 📸: Queer African stories
| Feminism ጃስ | 🏳️🌈
Current project 📸: Queer African stories
Picked my favorites 💐
✨ Tulips ✨ Dalton Farms, NJ
✨ Tulips ✨ Dalton Farms, NJ
April 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Picked my favorites 💐
✨ Tulips ✨ Dalton Farms, NJ
✨ Tulips ✨ Dalton Farms, NJ
First half marathon ✅
March 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
First half marathon ✅
July 2015
Former President Barack Obama’s visit sparked a widespread rumor that his visit aimed to discuss decriminalization of homosexuality. Comments on Dr Tedros Adhanom’s post speak volume about that time.
Former President Barack Obama’s visit sparked a widespread rumor that his visit aimed to discuss decriminalization of homosexuality. Comments on Dr Tedros Adhanom’s post speak volume about that time.
March 18, 2025 at 10:35 AM
July 2015
Former President Barack Obama’s visit sparked a widespread rumor that his visit aimed to discuss decriminalization of homosexuality. Comments on Dr Tedros Adhanom’s post speak volume about that time.
Former President Barack Obama’s visit sparked a widespread rumor that his visit aimed to discuss decriminalization of homosexuality. Comments on Dr Tedros Adhanom’s post speak volume about that time.
December 2011
During the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Addis Ababa, messages of protest spread, claiming that the conference’s objective was to promote homosexuality & pressure the Eth govt to pass supportive legislation.
globalvoices.org/2011/12/01/e...
During the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Addis Ababa, messages of protest spread, claiming that the conference’s objective was to promote homosexuality & pressure the Eth govt to pass supportive legislation.
globalvoices.org/2011/12/01/e...
March 18, 2025 at 10:35 AM
December 2011
During the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Addis Ababa, messages of protest spread, claiming that the conference’s objective was to promote homosexuality & pressure the Eth govt to pass supportive legislation.
globalvoices.org/2011/12/01/e...
During the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) held in Addis Ababa, messages of protest spread, claiming that the conference’s objective was to promote homosexuality & pressure the Eth govt to pass supportive legislation.
globalvoices.org/2011/12/01/e...
Key dates on the evolution of anti homosexuality advocacy and online violence against LGBTQIA+ communities in Ethiopia: 1/
March 18, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Key dates on the evolution of anti homosexuality advocacy and online violence against LGBTQIA+ communities in Ethiopia: 1/
In the face of relentless disinformation and the shattering weight of systemic denial, queer Africans continue to create safe spaces for themselves. Every quiet search for connection and every hidden gathering is an act of defiance — a refusal to be erased.
March 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
In the face of relentless disinformation and the shattering weight of systemic denial, queer Africans continue to create safe spaces for themselves. Every quiet search for connection and every hidden gathering is an act of defiance — a refusal to be erased.
🤩 Ethiopian and Eritrean queer stories to the streets. To be seen. To be heard. A song of resistance ✨
Billboard from Exposure Photography Festival. (📸 Mitra Samavaki)
Calgary, Alberta
Billboard from Exposure Photography Festival. (📸 Mitra Samavaki)
Calgary, Alberta
February 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
🤩 Ethiopian and Eritrean queer stories to the streets. To be seen. To be heard. A song of resistance ✨
Billboard from Exposure Photography Festival. (📸 Mitra Samavaki)
Calgary, Alberta
Billboard from Exposure Photography Festival. (📸 Mitra Samavaki)
Calgary, Alberta
My photography project Wonderfully Made, which highlights the Ethiopian and Eritrean queer community in the US, is featured in this year’s Exposure Photography Festival and opened last night ✨
If you are in Calgary don’t miss it - at Contemporary Calgary.
If you are in Calgary don’t miss it - at Contemporary Calgary.
February 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
My photography project Wonderfully Made, which highlights the Ethiopian and Eritrean queer community in the US, is featured in this year’s Exposure Photography Festival and opened last night ✨
If you are in Calgary don’t miss it - at Contemporary Calgary.
If you are in Calgary don’t miss it - at Contemporary Calgary.
Today, I have a home where anyone who has been mistreated because of their sexuality, or who can’t be queer, Habesha, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Oromo—whatever their identity—in their own home, can come and be themselves.” 3/end
From a conversation with an Ethiopian American queer woman.
From a conversation with an Ethiopian American queer woman.
February 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Today, I have a home where anyone who has been mistreated because of their sexuality, or who can’t be queer, Habesha, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Oromo—whatever their identity—in their own home, can come and be themselves.” 3/end
From a conversation with an Ethiopian American queer woman.
From a conversation with an Ethiopian American queer woman.
…When I turned 18, a family member outed me by sharing personal social media posts of me and the girl I was dating. My parents threatened me and even threatened to out her to her family, even though she wasn’t out—and as far as I know, she still isn’t. That’s when they essentially disowned me… 2/
February 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
…When I turned 18, a family member outed me by sharing personal social media posts of me and the girl I was dating. My parents threatened me and even threatened to out her to her family, even though she wasn’t out—and as far as I know, she still isn’t. That’s when they essentially disowned me… 2/
“I grew up in a very religious household where my parents often expressed that they didn’t believe the LGBTQ+ community deserved equal rights. Yet one of God’s commandments is “love your neighbor as yourself.” Why would you deny your neighbor the same rights you have? 1/
February 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“I grew up in a very religious household where my parents often expressed that they didn’t believe the LGBTQ+ community deserved equal rights. Yet one of God’s commandments is “love your neighbor as yourself.” Why would you deny your neighbor the same rights you have? 1/
Even decolonization would need to borrow decolonization just to decolonize academic spaces smh
January 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Even decolonization would need to borrow decolonization just to decolonize academic spaces smh
Dan Ware, the founder of Toto Tours, issued a press release, and I often think about the message he received from a gay Ethiopian man v v v
Since then, digital violence has worsened, leading to unsafe streets, and countless individuals fleeing the country.
Since then, digital violence has worsened, leading to unsafe streets, and countless individuals fleeing the country.
December 8, 2024 at 1:26 PM
Dan Ware, the founder of Toto Tours, issued a press release, and I often think about the message he received from a gay Ethiopian man v v v
Since then, digital violence has worsened, leading to unsafe streets, and countless individuals fleeing the country.
Since then, digital violence has worsened, leading to unsafe streets, and countless individuals fleeing the country.
She faced the night sky and the forest alone, driven by her convictions. After one particularly cruel incident with her stepmother, she went into the forest, took thorns, and tattooed her hands. When I asked her what those tattoos meant, she said, ‘The wilderness is safer than home.’ …. 3/ -
December 4, 2024 at 11:51 AM
She faced the night sky and the forest alone, driven by her convictions. After one particularly cruel incident with her stepmother, she went into the forest, took thorns, and tattooed her hands. When I asked her what those tattoos meant, she said, ‘The wilderness is safer than home.’ …. 3/ -
At around 10 yrs old, she ran away from her rural Ethiopian home to escape an abusive stepmother & an arranged marriage. She trusted her instincts, knowing she deserved better, even though no one guided or supported her decision. Her bravery inspires me. 2/
December 4, 2024 at 11:51 AM
At around 10 yrs old, she ran away from her rural Ethiopian home to escape an abusive stepmother & an arranged marriage. She trusted her instincts, knowing she deserved better, even though no one guided or supported her decision. Her bravery inspires me. 2/
Excerpt from a conversation with a queer Ethiopian American woman:
“My entire family knows I’m queer.The most challenging relationship is with my mom, who is homophobic, likely influenced by her culture & religion. I’ve been searching for ways to help her understand because my mom is my beacon. 1/
“My entire family knows I’m queer.The most challenging relationship is with my mom, who is homophobic, likely influenced by her culture & religion. I’ve been searching for ways to help her understand because my mom is my beacon. 1/
December 4, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Excerpt from a conversation with a queer Ethiopian American woman:
“My entire family knows I’m queer.The most challenging relationship is with my mom, who is homophobic, likely influenced by her culture & religion. I’ve been searching for ways to help her understand because my mom is my beacon. 1/
“My entire family knows I’m queer.The most challenging relationship is with my mom, who is homophobic, likely influenced by her culture & religion. I’ve been searching for ways to help her understand because my mom is my beacon. 1/
Reminded me of
“…& when we contend that the primary concern for sex workers is the sex involved in sex work and not the criminalized & stigmatized nature of their work, not the material conditions of their labor, we fail to acknowledge & address the actual abuses many sex worker communities face.”
“…& when we contend that the primary concern for sex workers is the sex involved in sex work and not the criminalized & stigmatized nature of their work, not the material conditions of their labor, we fail to acknowledge & address the actual abuses many sex worker communities face.”
December 1, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Reminded me of
“…& when we contend that the primary concern for sex workers is the sex involved in sex work and not the criminalized & stigmatized nature of their work, not the material conditions of their labor, we fail to acknowledge & address the actual abuses many sex worker communities face.”
“…& when we contend that the primary concern for sex workers is the sex involved in sex work and not the criminalized & stigmatized nature of their work, not the material conditions of their labor, we fail to acknowledge & address the actual abuses many sex worker communities face.”
6th cataract of the Nile.
Sabaloga area /North of Khartoum, Sudan
April, 2017
Sabaloga area /North of Khartoum, Sudan
April, 2017
November 28, 2024 at 12:36 PM
6th cataract of the Nile.
Sabaloga area /North of Khartoum, Sudan
April, 2017
Sabaloga area /North of Khartoum, Sudan
April, 2017
He said he is from France. I asked him if he knewTobias from Austria. #AfricanInWhiteFields
November 26, 2024 at 7:25 PM
He said he is from France. I asked him if he knewTobias from Austria. #AfricanInWhiteFields
The way delivery guy rang the door 😭 I almost met my ancestors. He could’ve just left the package for the thieves smh
November 26, 2024 at 12:11 AM
The way delivery guy rang the door 😭 I almost met my ancestors. He could’ve just left the package for the thieves smh
Sharing a portrait of Reverend Nokuthula Dhladhla, a queer Rev from South Africa who, after being excommunicated from her church in her early 20s due to her sexuality, opened a church for queer individuals.
When they don’t let you sit at the table, build your own!
Soweto, SA
Nov, 2023
When they don’t let you sit at the table, build your own!
Soweto, SA
Nov, 2023
November 24, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Sharing a portrait of Reverend Nokuthula Dhladhla, a queer Rev from South Africa who, after being excommunicated from her church in her early 20s due to her sexuality, opened a church for queer individuals.
When they don’t let you sit at the table, build your own!
Soweto, SA
Nov, 2023
When they don’t let you sit at the table, build your own!
Soweto, SA
Nov, 2023
Picked up running a few weeks back. And preparing my first half marathon ✨
Did 7.2mi this morning
10:51/mi
Did 7.2mi this morning
10:51/mi
November 23, 2024 at 5:50 PM
Picked up running a few weeks back. And preparing my first half marathon ✨
Did 7.2mi this morning
10:51/mi
Did 7.2mi this morning
10:51/mi
Excited to share that my photo project, Wonderfully Made, highlighting the stories of Ethiopian and Eritrean LGBTQ+ individuals across the U.S., will be featured at the Exposure Photography Festival 2025! ✨
November 19, 2024 at 11:30 PM
Excited to share that my photo project, Wonderfully Made, highlighting the stories of Ethiopian and Eritrean LGBTQ+ individuals across the U.S., will be featured at the Exposure Photography Festival 2025! ✨
Bulgarian split squat though
November 19, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Bulgarian split squat though