Viviana Edera

Can you tell us about ToGayTher, the project you founded and personally take care of every day?

It was born as a gay-friendly, LGBTQ+ evening in Milan, then due to Covid-19 I had to rethink the project from scratch. It went live in February, so we've worked on it for a full year now. After four months, we're almost on the threshold of 20K. We've created a real community, where followers help each other and feel at home. This was our goal. Now, we'll start with the evenings as originally planned, and our community will move from online to offline.

We're in June, that’s Pride Month. Why do you believe it's still important to take to the streets and show the pride of the LGBTQ + community?

I think it's very important to take to the streets and make your voice heard, because in this country the LGBTQ + community doesn't have the same rights as the rest of the population. In addition, those who call it a ‘carnival’ don't realise they’re the ones who have a problem: what's so annoying about spending a day celebrating together?

What's the issue that's most dear to you with regards to the defense of the LGBTQ+ rights?

Surely, one of the issues that's very close to my heart is adoption: I think that each one of us has the right to feel like a mother or father one day, giving love to their son or daughter.

What's the greatest satisfaction you've achieved thanks to the ToGayTher project?

My greatest joy is having given many a home. At first it was simply an idea that might have not worked out, but we're receiving lots of positive feedback. In a few days it’ll be Pride Day in Milan, and we'll have our first ToGayTher event in a local club. For me, that’s an excellent result after just four months of work.

61.4K followers on Instagram. How do you approach social media? Have you ever experienced cyberbullying?

When I was younger, I was much more into social media, I was almost obsessed with them: if I didn't post at the right time and on the right day, I’d go crazy. The thing that's always saved me is photography. I've never made a mark on social media, as I've met a lot of people in real life and never needed Instagram to become a photographer. In fact, my account is more about me as a person than a photographer. Now it's no longer an obsession for me, because working on other people's profiles, I dedicate little time to mine and I'm fine with it. I'm at peace with myself. As to 'bad things', they've always slipped on me: I don't know them, so I don't care.

What’s the worst criticism you've ever received? How about the best compliment?

Honestly, I've never received any criticism. Maybe, I once was told that I was trying to raise awareness only because of an economic purpose. Obviously it was not the case, and I didn’t care about that. The best compliment was certainly that of a mother: I was at a concert working as a photographer, a mother approached me and thanked me for my content and education, telling me that she was very happy that her daughter followed me, because I was a positive role model.

In June, the community wears the colours of the rainbow. Your look is always very urban and street-inspired. Can you describe what you like to wear and tell us if you too succumb to the charm of the rainbow during the parade?

That's certainly a good question, because I hardly give in. Having just created ToGayTher's merchandise, I think I'll wear that.

You also have a lot of tattoos. How many? What’s the tattoo you’re most fond of? Is there any you’d get rid of?

I've lost count now! They should be more than 30. Honestly, I don't regret any of the tattoos I got, as I got them done for a reason. Maybe, I’d get some of them erased, just to get them done again in different parts of my body. Asking me to pick a favourite is like asking me to choose between my mom and dad, uncles and grandparents. Generally speaking, I’d say my favourites are the ones I got tattooed for my grandparents, and believe me when I say it’s a lot. From an aesthetically point of view, I’m very into the tattoos I have on my abdomen.

Among all the other jobs you do, I read that you’re also a DJ, and since we're close to summer, I’d like to ask you what the track you plan on playing or listening the most during the hottest season of the year is.

Well said! One of my many jobs is being a DJ. Anyhow, I hope to play my songs first, but generally speaking I play EDM/COMMERCIAL music. By the way, I respect Martin Garrix a lot!

Do you have a motto in life?

Speak little, listen a lot, and you'll never fail.

Viviana, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

What I hope for the future is a villa in Los Angeles, with three to four German Shepherds, a career started, a family…and, hopefully, someone who loves me as much as I love life.