Photography by Prins de Vos

For trans and non-binary people seeking gender-affirming care, the first step is often not treatment, but a long and uncertain wait. In the Netherlands, often ranked as one of the most friendly LGBTQIA+ nations in the world, challenges are less about overt political restrictions and more about limited capacity within gender clinics, as high demand has resulted in extensive waiting lists that can range from months to years.

This reality is explored in Prins de Vos’ powerful photo series, On Hold. In the project, the photographer puts a face to some of the thousands of people currently on waiting lists, offering a raw and intimate look at their lived experiences. Alongside the portraits, participants are given the opportunity to share their own words, adding personal context to their circumstances.

At the time his photo was taken on 10 May 2025, Miles was 26 and had been on the waiting list for 32 months. “Being on the waiting list meant I couldn't move forward with my life,” he reveals. “There was no place in the world where I could feel comfortable, so there was nowhere for me to go.” Mika, who was 20 at the time their photo was taken, described their 21-month wait as “losing their bodily autonomy,” adding: “I had to stay stuck while a cis person I had never met was going to decide whether or not I am really trans, impacting my entire existence.”

Here, Gay Times speaks with Prins about their journey with the project, the role photography can play in reshaping how marginalised communities are seen and more.