Unai Marc
“When I was a kid and a young teenager, going to the barber’s was that thing that had to be done once a month without me having a say, as it was always dictated by my parents. I mostly sat in the chair and accepted it as part of a lifestyle that fit within the social and normative rules of growing up in a small village.
But I soon realised that I didn’t want to fit within any normative rules or at least, I wanted to be able to make my own choices. Moreover, not having to live my life always thinking what others would think about me if I did this or that. So one day, still in my teenager days, I went to a new hair salon, sat in their chair, and asked them to do something completely different to my hair. That was when the change started.
Accepting myself as a gay man was the easy task, the first step, and I have never been ashamed of it. But living my life the way I envisioned and according to what felt right to my mind and heart hasn’t always been that easy. Through the years, and with constant battling with myself and hard work I learnt that my personal wellbeing is in my own hands and that nobody but me has the right to choose my life rules.
I sat in a barber’s chair multiple times since that crazy day that made me start taking control of my journey, but this time I do it with a bit more experience, proudly showing out some of the things that have fulfilled my life, helped me shape my personality and brought me to this point: music, creativity, kink and fitness.”
Unai Marc (he/him)
Unai Marc describes himself as a creative mind shaped by music, culture and community. Music is his main drive. He began as a dedicated listener before moving into writing lyrics, crafting sounds and releasing work under different monikers. Unai has deep roots in the kink scene, especially as a leatherman, and has modelled both within kink spaces and beyond. He now works in e-commerce and marketing, which gives him another way to experiment with ideas and expression.
For Unai, being queer means living with freedom and honesty. The journey has brought challenges, yet each stage has pushed him to grow and strengthened his sense of self.
He felt most seen when he accepted himself as a whole person, with all his strengths and flaws, and started making choices that centred his own wellbeing.
His style draws from a wide mix of influences. He builds a collage of classic pop culture, kink elements and current trends, creating a presence that reflects his interests and history.
His message to younger queer people is simple. Keep doing what you love, even if it stands apart from what others expect. Be yourself without apology.
This is UNCUT — a raw, striking portrait series by award-winning photographer Chris Jepson capturing the power and pride of Queer Joy, shot in a barber’s chair. No filters, no retouching, no compromise. Just bold, beautiful people taking up space exactly as they are.