For years, Jumana lived under a cloud of instability in Egypt.
When she first reached out to Rainbow Railroad for help in 2019, the 45-year-old trans woman reported experiencing family persecution — abusive behaviors by relatives who do not accept someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation — forcing her to constantly be on the move to avoid being tracked down.
These personal circumstances, coupled with state persecution of LGBTQI+ people, posed risks to her life. “It's not legal to be trans or LGBTQ in my country… [and] unfortunately, it was a very bad life for me,” says Jumana, who now lives in Germany. “I decided to relocate anywhere to live my life as I feel and to feel free and also to be safe.”
Jumana is one of hundreds of individuals who Rainbow Railroad has assisted in recent years through Emergency Travel Support (ETS), a core organizational program that helps at-risk queer and trans asylum seekers access international relocation.
The need for help in her country of origin is dire. Rainbow Railroad has received more than 2,000 requests for help from people living in Egypt since 2021. More than a third of individuals cited family persecution as one of their concerns, though they also mentioned societal persecution, threats, harassment, violence, and more. Across the African continent, in particular, the need to support LGBTQI+ identifying people is quite significant: More than two dozen African countries have strict policies outlawing consensual same-sex relations, largely due to their colonial legacy.
Read More: The Unequal Impact of Colonial Laws on Black LGBTQI+ Lives
While the weight of such circumstances can be stifling at times, Jumana encourages other asylum seekers like her to try to “be strong and believe” in their dreams to have the strength to keep going. That mental fortitude is what kept her safe on her own journey, despite concerns that “something bad would happen.”
“I told myself to be confident and be strong, as it was my chance to get a better life,” says Jumana. “Then, when I passed through border control… it was really very good — a moment I can't forget for the rest of my life. It was like a dream for me.”
Jumana was finally able to relocate in 2023. Now, she says she feels “safe and free.”
“My life is stable, I am trying to learn the language, and I am working part-time while studying. The best things here are the respect and the support,” she says.
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s Pride campaign “Solidarity in Pride: Then. Now. Always,” Jumana points to the need to learn from past mistakes in order to progress forward. “We should accept everything and try to improve ourselves,” she says, “and learn from the past mistakes for a better life.”
Help Rainbow Railroad continue to support at-risk LGBTQI+ refugees by making a donation today. Celebrate Pride by reading the stories of other newcomers we’ve assisted, here.