Luca Bonamore, or simply Luca (@luca.bonamore). Born in Rome - shares with us his most intimate portrait yet. This 27-year-old performer and choreographer base in Vienna opens up about the often misunderstood topic of sexuality and desire, sharing his personal journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.

What does sexuality mean to you, and how has your understanding of it evolved over time?

Sexuality, for me, is more than just a biological trait or a personal preference. It is a form of expressive freedom, a way of communicating who I am and what I feel through my body and my movement. However, this freedom was not always easy or enjoyable for me. I grew up in a society that rejected and ridiculed queer culture. I had to explore and experience my sexuality in secret, in places where I could be anonymous and safe from judgment and rejection.

I felt a lot of shame and guilt about my identity as if I was doing something wrong. I tried to hide or suppress the way I moved, which I thought was too feminine, too sexual, too weird. 

I found freedom and joy in dancing, especially in queer clubs, where I could express myself freely and fully. There, I met people who appreciated and encouraged me for who I was and how I moved. They asked me to teach them or share with them my style and my skills. They made me feel valued and accepted. They made me realize that my movement was not a flaw or a weakness, but a strength and a gift. It was my language, my voice, my signature.

How do you navigate the intersectionality of your sexuality with other aspects of your identity?

I have learned to embrace the complexity and richness of my identity, and to use it as a source of strength and creativity. My sexuality is not a separate or isolated part of who I am, but rather a vital and integral component of my whole self.

This realization has transformed my outlook and my relationship with myself. It has also motivated me to express these aspects of my identity in my artistic work as a choreographer. 

Through my movement, I aim to tell stories, to convey meaning and emotion, to challenge stereotypes and norms, to celebrate diversity and beauty.

What challenges have you faced in expressing your sexual desires and needs, and how have you overcome them?

The main challenge was to silence the societal pressures that dictate how to behave or how to express one’s sexual identity. It was not easy to ignore the voices that tried to impose norms and expectations on me. I had to find my own voice and my own identity, without letting others define me.

How do you envision a more inclusive and fulfilling sexual culture that embraces diverse sexual identities and expressions, and how can we work towards it?

To create a more inclusive and fulfilling sexual culture, we must recognize that our community is diverse and complex. We must examine how we interact with and relate to one another, and avoid judging or excluding others based on their appearance, body type or preferences. What may seem strange or unappealing to us may not be wrong at all. We need to respect and embrace the variety of sexual expressions and experiences that exist within our community.

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