"They consider my existence a disgrace. No mercy, religion, or humanity would prevent them from harming me or killing me."
Zen is a 23-year-old trans man living in a hideout in Syria while his parents and the police actively look for him.
He lives in permanent fear and can barely sleep.
When revealing to his parents in 2017 that he was transgender, Zen was first locked in the house for months, then threatened by his relatives and neighbors until his parents kicked him out of the house. Forced to sleep in the streets while taking any small job to survive Zen quickly became the target of verbal and sexual assaults.
He eventually managed to go to Damascus, where he was admitted to the university and studied law for 3 years until the harassment and the threats to report him to the police became unbearable and he decided to live in secrecy. He now knows, from the messages he is receiving on his phone, that his family is after him with the goal of making him pay for the shame he brought to them.
Today I had my 3rd virtual meeting with Zen. The pain he voices and shows on his face is heartbreaking.
We at TRANS ASYLIAS came up with a plan to extract Zen from Syria in 2 steps:
1. First, shelter rapidly Zen in a transit country.
2. Secondly, obtain a humanitarian visa or asylum for Zen in a North American or European country that guarantees strong Trans rights.
We urgently need funds for this rescue plan:
Temporary living conditions in Syria: $300
Extraction from Syria and travel to transit country: $2,000
Living Expenses: 1st month in transit country: $1,000
Initial Budget: $3,300
Testimony from Rafel A. , a friend of Zen who suggested he contact TRANS ASYLIAS:
"As time went on, I could see that Zen's mental health was deteriorating. He kept talking about giving up all hopes and that suicide was his only choice out. I urged him to go to a psychiatrist who diagnosed him with Gender Dysphoria and put him on anti-depressants. Zen said that the antidepressants are helping by making him numb to everything.
I personally vouch for Zen and his story. As someone who has also grown up and lived in Arabic countries, I know the immense difficulties and horrors of our existence there."
Please donate as much or as little as you are able. And please share this fundraising page. We thank you so much for your support in keeping our trans siblings alive.
Iman Le Caire
Founder & President
TRANS ASYLIAS
501(c)(3) Humanitarian Organization
Federal Tax ID Number: 87-3946350