Urgent Support for BIPOC Trans Woman in Köln

My name is Sofia.

I am an African trans woman.

I was brought to Cologne 3 years ago on Asylum in hopes to live safely in Germany.

To my surprise, that safety was far from reality.

On the 9th of April, 2023 – as I was standing on Schaafenstraße and waiting for my Uber, a security guard showed up and asked me to get away from this street.

I was simply waiting for my Uber on a public street.

So to my surprise, I asked “Why?”

Then he started pushing me aggressively trying to move me away.

As I stood my ground trying to stop him from moving me…

He called 7-8 security guards for his support.

He strangled me and pushed me to the ground.

Then he sat on me as my body pressed against the concrete and they violently punched and kicked me.

Then they also put their body weight on me as he was strangling me and holding me in one place.

I am asthmatic and 2-months post-op top surgery.

I didn't know what to do & which was more painful,

my chest out of surgery or me taking my last breath?

I felt as if my eyes would fall from their sockets due to the pressure on my neck.

I felt the air running out of my lungs from the pressure on my back and chest.

My body was pressed on concrete by 7-8 heavy guards as I was SCREAMING for my life saying:

"HELP ME!! I'M DYING!! HE IS KILLING ME ON THE GROUND!!"

Nobody came to help since all my friends were pushed away by the security to make sure no one could come to save me.

I almost died, until eventually, the Police showed up and broke the security off me.

I told them what happened. They wrote a report. No one was arrested. And I ended up with cuts and bruises in the hospital.

Injustice? Racism? Transphobia?

You call it, I've experienced it.

People always ask “How can we show up for Black Trans Women?”

This is how – I need your support to fight the injustices I’ve experienced as follows:

A. Legal Fees:

Attorney Fees: 600€ (meeting with my lawyer once every 2 months over the course of a year until the case is settled, each meeting costs 100€)

B. Moving away from Cologne to Berlin since I no longer feel safe here and need time to settle in Berlin as well as heal from my trauma:

Why Donate?

Every Euro donated will be used to fight for:

Is Germany a safe place where I can get some justice?

Help me find out by supporting my case and please donate now.

Whether it’s 5€ or 50€, every Euro counts.

Want to keep up with my updates?

Please follow me on Instagram @sofia_ss_royal as I share updates of my story.

Can’t afford to donate?

Share my story on Instagram to bring awareness to this injustice, and perhaps to people who can afford to donate.

Let’s fight this injustice together, and a BIG thank you to everyone who’s supporting me.

With love,

Sofia

Note to GoFundMe:

I go by the name Sofia, but my legal name is Emmanuel John Juan. I have yet to change my legal name, but since I am transgender, please respect my name as Sofia with the pronouns (She/Her) when processing my funds on this platform. Thank you for your kind support and understanding.