Queer Migrants Exhibition
An increasing number of LGBTQI+ people are forced to flee their home country seeking greater sexual equality or even escaping persecution since LGBTQI+ identity is criminalised in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Our Queer Migrants project aimed at finding solutions for this understudied phenomenon – the link between sexuality, gender identity and the decision to migrate – by strengthening the capacity of professionals in answering the needs of LGBTQI refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
When creating this project, we realised just how invisible this community can be and we wanted to give them a platform to share their stories.
Below you’ll find many stories and art that were shared by migrants and members of the LGBTQIA+ community that aim to increase visibility around this topic.
I was able to escape Venezuela in 2016. As many others, I escaped through the Colombian border by foot, hiding from paramilitary, and military alike. I left with only one bag for clothes and food, never have I felt smaller and more insignificant than when I saw the small bag and knew that my whole life was packed there.
There were many times I wanted to give up, it was an incredibly dangerous and exhausting journey but there’s no life left in Venezuela and I wanted to give my child an opportunity to succeed in life. I left the country on my own and after 2 incredibly hard years, I was able to bring my child with me.
Here, far from the Venezuelan daily conflicts and worries regarding lack of food, electricity, gas, medicines etc… my child has been able to open themself and discover who they are. After many years self-harming in Venezuela, feeling stuck and isolated, my child found a group of people who support them and love them. They have a newfound passion for graphic design, ambition, hopes, dreams but more importantly, my child is not living in fear anymore and they love themself.
I have never been prouder of my small family. Sometimes, I still feel that there’s too much weight over my shoulders and I am not where I want to be yet. Being a forced migrant means that you don’t have the time to plan your life ahead. I was an HR coordinator for one of the biggest companies in Venezuela, here I’m working as a cleaner 70H per week to support my family. I work from Monday to Saturday from 7am – 7pm. I know that life will be better soon, but for now, I’m just happy for my child
Stevie L Roots (she/her )
For most of my twenties I suffered bad from my mental health
Despite having everything I needed -love in wealth.
I always thought I was attracted to men,
But always got questioned on sexuality time and time again.
This confused me as I never looked at women in that way,
Never felt one part of denial I have to say.
I always questioned why I couldn’t connect with men, never felt like my body had that part.
Which always shocked me as I have the biggest heart.
I saw sex and affection with men as a big fake act
Was never myself, emotionally unavailable and no tact.
Nothing with them ever felt right,
I then met a woman at 27 and it all came to light.
All the answers hit me and once and I knew I was gay,
Although it was never the sole reason, a huge part of my negative thoughts melted away.
THEN: 9 stone, suicidal and attached to therapy.
NOW:12 stone and giving out therapy.
Don’t suffer alone. I have 2 ears that will listen.
This is a depiction of me – slowing getting eating alive, rotting in a place where nobody knows who I really am and nor do I .. I was lost
“This video was a way for me to celebrate, grieve and reminisce the life and journey my family and I have been on over the past 20 years.” Astha Lama (she/her)
Lucia (they / she)
I miss my friends,
I miss my partner,
I miss my life in Margarita.
I miss the street lights and the purple sky after every sunset,
I go to sleep and I see it all…
I miss in all shades of wrong,
This country has taught me so much about love and acceptance,
Friends don’t make fun of who you love,
Your partner is not a secret you should keep from the world,
The street lights don’t protect you from the thieves in every corner,
And a sunset’s always better when it’s not a sign of lockdown.
England has freed me from accepting a life that’s not really a life.
I am who I am and I will be loved and I won’t accept anything else.
I miss my partner,
I miss my life in Margarita.
I miss the street lights and the purple sky after every sunset,
I go to sleep and I see it all…
I miss in all shades of wrong,
This country has taught me so much about love and acceptance,
Friends don’t make fun of who you love,
Your partner is not a secret you should keep from the world,
The street lights don’t protect you from the thieves in every corner,
And a sunset’s always better when it’s not a sign of lockdown.
I am who I am and I will be loved and I won’t accept anything else.
