Hi! My name is Zoe and I am a trans woman living in Manchester. I was born in Turkey and came to the UK in 2019 to study Aerospace Engineering. I graduated from The University of Manchester in 2023. Unfortunately, I couldn’t secure a graduate job that could sponsor my visa in time. My graduate visa is expired and I claimed asylum but the Home Office rejected my claim saying it is safe for trans women in Turkey (it’s definitely not, you cannot rent or get employed as a trans woman). Now I am appealing their decision but I need a lawyer and I cannot get legal aid because I am employed as a bartender.

My family found out I am trans through the National Intelligence Organisation of Turkey (MIT). I attended Istanbul Pride in 2018 and the Turkish Government keeps a record of everyone who attends. My family works in the Turkish Government and MIT outed me to my family while I was in university. Since then, I’ve been abused by my family, physically and mentally. I had to go through conversion therapy with 2 different “therapists” for months in order to convince my family to keep supporting me financially and allow me to complete my studies. After I said I couldn’t take it anymore, my family stopped supporting me financially and I had to work to support myself during my final year of university. The university also supported me in covering my tuition fees and visa expenses. Last time I was in Turkey my mum told me if I “choose” this “lifestyle” no one will love me and I will die alone in pain. My dad told me to never come back and if I do he would murder me. These were just two examples of the countless abuses I received from my family over the last couple of years.

I just want to stay in the country I’ve been in since I was 18, do my master's to become an engineer and start a new life. The Home Office still haven’t told me when my hearing will take place, I assume it will be in a couple months time. I am in contact with Rainbow Migration but I don’t qualify for legal aid since I have a minimum wage job. However, I cannot afford an immigration lawyer with my wage. I really need your help, even sharing this page would be a great help.

Big love,

Zoe