Freedom Seekers

1. Every Sunday, the LGBTQI+ Center invites asylum seekers and refugees to come and meet others, get help with documents and participate in workshops. Paris, 12 March 2023.

2. Every Sunday there are many new people, which shows how many people have fled their country. Paris, 26 March 2023.

3. Aslam, 31 years old, from Bangladesh, arrived in Paris in September. Aslam travelled overland from Bangladesh to Paris, it took him 6 years. Paris, 29 October 2022.

4. Aslam is very resilient. In different circumstances Aslam stays calm and positive, thinking in solutions and keeps moving forward, step by step. Sarcelles, January 21, 2023.

5. Aslam on his bed, sharing this room with four other people. Sarcelles, 15 February 2023.

6. Flat in Sarcelles, in Aslams neighborhood. Sarcelles, 4 February 2023.

7. Aslam visits the Esplanade du Trocadero. Aslam works 7 days a week in a restaurant, 10 to 12 hours a day. He is able to support himself and wants to be part of society. Paris, January 14, 2023.

8. Vlad, 25 years old, from Russia. Vlad arrived in Paris in April 2022 and was sent to a camp in the south of France (Besançon). Immigration wanted him to go to Hungary, but he didn't, because it is also a homophobic country. "I decided to go back to Paris, so I can get married and have children". Paris, 18 November 2022.

9. Vlad prepares a tea in the kitchen of the squat. He is happy to be around other people, the question remains: how long can I stay here? Pantin, 8 March 2023.

10. Vlad lived on the streets at first, moved around a lot from house to house for short periods and is currently living in a squat in this neighborhood. Pantin, 23 March 2023.

11. Vlad shares a room with another person. Pantin, 8 March 2023.

12. Courage, 28, from Nigeria, arrived in Paris in January 2021. She ended up on the streets in Nigeria because she was abandoned by her family, who told her she has a “bad spirit” inside (because she is a lesbian). Courage left Nigeria in 2015. Fontenay-sous-Bois, 11 March 2023.

13. Courage often visit culturel activities which are offered by a volunteer of the LGBTQI+ Center. Paris, 13 April 2023.

14. Courage goes every week to French class from Monday to Thursday. She is very eager to learn French, even her asylum is rejected by OFPRA in her first attempt she stays determined. Saint-Denis, 12 April 2023.

15. Courage is a very energetic and optimistic person. On the other hand, she is screaming inside, struggling with her trauma. She first rrived in Italy (2015) where she was forced to work. Fontenay-sous-Bois, 11 March, 2023.

16. Oscar in his room, sharing a flat with 4 other people. Paris, 8 March 2023.

17. Oscar, 30 years old, from India. Oscar fled India in 2016, lived in Ukraine for 6 years and arrived in Paris in July 2022. Paris, March 8, 2023.

18. Oscar serving an Indian dish for breakfast in his room. Paris, 8 April 2023.

19. Oscar always takes care of his appearance and present himself well styled. He worked as a fashion stylist in Ukraine. Paris, 8 April 2023.Oscar is in constant conflict with his depression. Paris, 8 March 2023.

20. Oscar is in constant conflict with his depression. Paris, 8 March 2023. His dream is to start a NGO to help people who are struggling with depression.

21. Courage keeps fighting to get her refugee status. She wants to become a nurse. Saint-Denis, 5 April, 2023.

22. Oscar's 30th birthday party at the LGBTQI+ center where he spends most of his time. Oscar is a very sensitive and social person. Paris, 22 February 2023.

23. Vlad his dream is to work in the cinema industry. Pantin, 8 March 2023.

24. Aslam his dream is to have his own place in Paris and to start an organisation to help other asylum seekers and refugees to find a job. Sarcelles, 15 April 2023.