My name is Anna Elvira Brodskaya. I am a disabled lesbian who had to flee violence in Russia. Along with my wife Anastasia, I am now an asylum seeker in the United States. Despite having filed for asylum along with my wife over five years ago, we are still waiting for our initial interview.
Read MoreAs a mental health clinician and a trauma specialist with special competency in working with diverse immigrant communities, I can attest to the benefit of establishing and maintaining strong social connections. Such connections reduce isolation, improve mental health and offer better coping strategies for the newest Americans.
Daria left Russia in 2017 and came to SAFE through her friend Dmitrii. She is currently seeking asylum.
Read MoreSame-sex couples face withering stares and homophobic slurs, such as pidar (“faggot” in Russian), when they walk down the street hand in hand. Landlords avoid renting to openly LGBTQ+ individuals. Workers at restaurants and shops face relentless misogyny and homophobia. From all corners, transgender people face a host of perils, from unacceptable misgendering to horrendous violence. For all these individuals, finding a safe place to be oneself is very hard…
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