Life is extremely difficult for young LGBT people in Baghdad, Iraq's capital. State homophobia is becoming increasingly severe. Young people must hide their identity to survive.

Al-Mutanabbi Street is an important gathering place in Baghdad. People meet there regularly. Yet LGBT youth must remain cautious there too. They cannot express their identity freely.

Iraq has no laws protecting LGBT people. The state and society often reject them. The risks are very serious indeed. Some young people face arrest or violence.

Despite these dangers, Baghdad's LGBT youth find creative solutions. They use mobile phone applications to contact each other. They meet secretly in private locations. They build support networks among themselves.

These young people show remarkable ingenuity to live authentically. They use discreet codes and subtle signals. They know exactly whom to trust. Caution is their daily survival rule.

The situation has worsened in recent years. Religious and political groups apply intense pressure. Local media often broadcast homophobic messages. This creates an atmosphere of constant fear.

Some young people dream of leaving Iraq. They hope to find safer countries. But leaving is not easy. They need money and official documents.

International organisations try to help these communities. They provide information on political asylum. They support people in danger. Yet their work in Iraq remains very limited and risky.

These Baghdad youth demonstrate remarkable courage. They refuse to abandon their identity. They build an invisible yet real community. Their silent resistance is a form of struggle for their rights.

Photographer Pauline Gauer's images accompany this report. They reveal the hidden reality of this youth. These photographs show a life lived in shadow.