Back in my home country I was persecuted and tortured. They not only attacked my identity as an LGBTQIA+ person, but my very existence as a human being. Because of what happened to me, I had to flee my home and leave everything behind. My life before was a very dark place. I was openly persecuted, abused and violated all because I refused to conform to the rule of a cruel government. I found myself in complete desperation and despair, struggling with physical and severe mental trauma. Right now, I’m more settled in my mind. But I still experience flashbacks of the darker times in my life. But I do now see hope in my future. For the first time, I have ambition to focus my life on contributing to society and giving back to other people who’ve experienced torture and persecution.