Update from Max and Maher (04/12/2025):

We want to clarify what has happened and how our situation became so urgent.

On September 15, our former landlord came with his son, broke our door, physically assaulted Max, and forcibly kicked us out of our apartment. Some of our belongings were stolen during this incident, leaving us suddenly homeless.

At the end of October, we managed to rent another apartment, but only two days later the landlady asked us to leave after neighbors told her that we are a queer couple. Once again, we were made homeless because of our identity.

This ongoing instability caused Max to lose his remote job, which was our only source of income. After that, we were homeless for weeks until a friend was able to host us long-term in her apartment. While this has given us temporary safety, it is not a permanent or secure solution.

We are sharing this update for transparency and to explain why we urgently need support. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our fundraiser, or stood with us.

Update from Max and Maher (04/09/2025):

We rented an apartment from a landlord who said he was okay with us being queer. We signed a one-year contract and paid rent on time. But after two months, he started pressuring us to leave. When we refused, he tried to force us out. We went to the police, but they only told him not to do it again.

The next morning, we found our four-month-old kitten hanged. It was a clear message: leave or be harmed. Terrified, we packed essentials and left. We’ve now been homeless for three nights. The landlord continues to threaten us, saying he will throw out our belongings and send relatives to attack us.

We tried going through lawyers and the court, but this will take time — and we are not safe now. What we need is not a temporary fix, but a way out. We must leave Tunisia as soon as possible.

Please, if you can, help us by donating. Every contribution brings us closer to safety.

Update 26/08/2025

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Max and Maher have been able to avoid homelessness, and they are deeply grateful for this support. However, new challenges have emerged. During Max’s most recent hospital visit for HIV medication, the doctor informed them that foreigners are no longer eligible for treatment. They were given a final three-month supply, after which access to medication will end. This means that Max and Maher must find a way to leave Tunisia within the next three months, as interrupting treatment would place Max’s health in serious danger. On top of this, they continue to face daily struggles and risks in their current situation.

Original post:

Hello, my name is Phoebe, I have created this Go Fund me to try and help my friends flee to safety, they just want to be able to live a life where they do not feel like their lives are in danger, anything you can do to help would be amazing. Here’s a bit about them as people.

Max’s Story:

Hello, I’m Max, a 23-year-old queer individual from Libya. In January 2023, I was outed on social media, which led to numerous death threats. To protect myself, I fled to Turkey and pursued my studies there. During this time, my parents subjected me to financial abuse, insisting I “turn straight” and remain a Muslim. In February 2024, they disowned me, leaving me unable to pay my tuition fees, which resulted in my deportation from Turkey.Returning to Libya was not an option due to the dangers I faced from militias attempting to capture me. I sought refuge in Tunisia to apply for asylum through the UNHCR; however, their offices have been closed since my arrival. In August, I tested positive for HIV and began treatment. Unfortunately, due to the inadequacies of public hospitals (as I cannot afford private care), I have been unable to obtain a resupply of my medication.

Maher’s Story:

Hi, I’m Maher, a 29-year-old queer non-binary person from Tunisia.In my hometown of Gabes, I was outed, which made life dangerous for me. I relocated to Sfax, another city in Tunisia, and started studying in a university. While there, I became involved in activism, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, and equality through university clubs and the student union. However, my activism drew severe harassment from extremist Muslim groups, both inside and outside the university. Eventually, I was expelled due to my efforts to fight for justice and equality.Fearing for my life, I fled to Tunis (the capital) on my own. Despite my determination, my gender identity made it extremely difficult to secure employment or afford rent. This led to periods of homelessness, during which I was forced to sleep on the streets.Throughout my life, when people discovered my queer identity, they exploited me instead of supporting me. Some uploaded private pictures of me without my consent, and one group of so-called “friends” even stole all the furniture from my apartment, which led to my eviction—all because of my sexuality and gender identity.Since October, the police have unjustly targeted and arrested queer individuals. Several of my friends have already been detained, and given my history of activism, I fear I may be next.Our Journey Together:We met in July 2024 and have been together since. We hoped to survive together in Tunisia, but daily life has been fraught with verbal and physical harassment. We have come to the painful realization that we must escape to safety as soon as possible.Our Request:We are seeking funds to cover visa and travel expenses. Upon arrival in Turkey, we plan to apply for asylum. Your support will help us secure a future where we can live authentically and safely.

Thank you for your compassion and assistance