Help a 20-year-old Kurdish Trans Refugee Find Stability

Hello, my name is Daena. I am a 20-year-old Kurdish trans woman, and I am reaching out for urgent solidarity and support.

I grew up facing constant threats and violence because of who I am. I had to leave everything behind and flee because of constant threats to my life by my own family. Leaving home was not a choice; it was for survival. My journey has been long and difficult: two years ago, I went to Bosnia under a student visa as a way to save myself. However, because of being visible as a queer Kurdish person who performed as a drag queen, I was not safe, and I had to flee from Bosnia as well. Later, I found a way to go to Spain legally, and from there I went to Belgium to seek asylum, hoping for safety and stability.

In Belgium, I spent six months living as a refugee in a shelter and multiple social houses, where I also had to share space with men as a trans woman, waiting for my asylum case. Even though Belgium was not what I expected, I faced violence and transphobia there as well, I was still holding onto the hope that I could build a life there. But in August, under the Dublin Regulation, I was forced back to Spain by the authorities. When I arrived in Spain, I had nothing: no home, no income, and no institutional support. For one month, I could not even register in the asylum system despite the urgency of my case. Only thanks to the solidarity of community members opening their doors was I able to survive that first period and finally register.

Even now, as a registered asylum seeker in Spain, I still do not receive any financial support or housing. I have been moving from place to place, without stability. By law, I cannot work for the next six months, and many NGOs I’ve reached out to have not been able to help. My survival right now depends entirely on the kindness of others.

On top of this, my transition has been difficult as well. I cannot access hormones, an endocrinologist, or a therapist to support me throughout my transition due to my financial situation at this stage, which is painful and dangerous for my mental health. Gender-affirming care, like hormones and laser hair removal, is not a luxury for me; they are essential.

I am asking for support to cover:

Daily expenses (food, transport, phone, etc.)

Rent for temporary housing until I am allowed to work and find a job

Gender-affirming healthcare, such as hormones and laser hair removal

My goal is to raise 10,000 euros, which would allow me to survive these next critical months, secure stable housing, and continue my transition in safety and dignity. Every donation, large or small, makes a difference.

As a Kurdish trans refugee, instead of getting the help I need from NGOs, I faced transphobia, xenophobia, and neglect from them, confirming that my struggle is not just personal, it is political. It represents the shared struggles of many trans and queer refugees who are forced to flee violence, only to face neglect and marginalization in Europe.

If you cannot donate, please share this campaign widely. Spreading the word is also a powerful form of solidarity, and it means a lot to me as a person who has had to rely on solidarity to survive these past few years.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me survive, rebuild my life, and one day give back the care and solidarity that have kept me alive.

With love and gratitude,

Daena