I took time thinking and experimenting with different openings for this fund raising. After countless different openings I figured that none would be perfect. Other than to just be simple and go for it. I'm Travis and at the day I wrote this appeal was my 21st birthday! My pronouns are he/him, am a Trans Man from Nairobi, Kenya. My favorite color is Blue and black. Am 5'9" and I love to play tennis!
In life there are few things we have control over and some of them are where we are born and how we are born. I realized this to be a true testament when I came out as a Trans. Society wasn't all that accepting and life quickly took a turn. I had so many questions but at all knew, again. Some things are beyond our control.
In 2010, a new consitution was adopted and paved way for new laws that conformed to modern times. So 4 years later a case which looked to undo a law termed as carnal knowledge against the laws of nature was brought forward. It quickly went up the ladder to the Supreme Court of Kenya. Their the Judges of the highest court on the land refused to be on the winning side of history by repealing a Colonialist's law labeling anyone who identified as LGBTQI going against the constituition and societal contracts and hence subject to be punishable under the full extent of the law. While the said group's human right are not violated.
Though the government turns a blind eye to prosecuting LGBTQI individuals there have been countless cases of harassment that involved the police, colleagues, family and even in the military, bribes and corruption are prevalent with authorities unashamingly requiring money or favors in order to get assistance, Discrimination at work with others being suspended from school whilst Many of us were shunned by family and pushed to the fringes of existence. Living under the shadows with fear. You can't walk free and always feel out of place.
Well I decided that I couldn't live a life of hiding knowing who I was and knew that if I want to be ME, I needed to leave. One and half years later here I am. Life has been hard and brutal as for everyone. Especially during this pandemic times. Am on a tourist visa and henceforth I cannot work. This has made me rely on online gigs, friends and NGOs. As effects of covid raged on most of the assistance I was getting dwindled and for me, the last 4 months have been the hardest.
Am currently staying at a backpackers hostel and bills have been racking up. I need a plane ticket out as my visa is almost expiring.
Most of you who read this had no idea who I am prior coming here. But we met under this circumstances, so am appealing for your help, with your assistance in raising money to clear my hostel bill and purchase a flight ticket. If you are able to give a hand in any manner you can trust me I'll be the luckiest human to ever live. The last thing you wanna have is legal problems in a foreign country.
My mental health has been at its lowest. I'm living under duress as days go on everything seems blurry and bleak but I continue to keep my head up. To keep pushing and fighting. To try and make it in life so as those who come after me don't have to run or feel like they are lesser humans. To many in places like Uganda, Kenya, Turkey, Libya, Jamaica and any where else LGBTQI people are facing hard times my heart goes out to you.
Lastly, I don't wanna make this long but thank you, thank you for taking the time to read this.
With thanks,
Travis
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