Help a Yemeni Trans Refugee Begin Her New Life
Donation protected
Retaj is a transgender woman currently living in Yemen. Her story is incredibly tough to hear so i’d like to give a trigger warning advance.
Retaj used to live with her family but one day she, while being out in public appearing as a man for safety, was arrested for her eyebrows being appearing too “feminine” and shaped. This lead the authorities to search Retaj’s phone which contained photos of her dressed as a woman. Retaj was arrested on homosexuality charges which is punishable by death in Yemen. Thankfully Retaj was not married so her punishment was 100 lashes and a year in prison. Her family was able to bail her out of prison but she had to endure one hundred lashes all for being trans. At home Retaj was subject to extreme amounts of violent abuse from her family because they found out she was trans. Retaj managed to escape from her abusive family and is currently living with a friend who’s themself is not doing financially well. The United Nations was informed about Retaj’s situation and they recommend her to a organization that can’t help right now because of the coronavirus.
Retaj needs our help. I’ve personally spoke to her and have her tell me that some times she doesn’t even eat because she doesn’t want to feel like a burden on her friend. She can’t work or go out because she will be arrested. She needs money for food and necessities right now. She told me i’ll be able to transfer the money to her friend who will be able to get her everything she needs.
The Yemeni police are holding Retaj’s passport and are charging her money she doesn’t have to get it back. We are hoping to raise enough money help Retaj survive until the coronavirus situation dies down and Retaj is able to receive the necessary aide to escape Yemen.
Please consider donating, even a little bit. Just two dollars could get her a meal. Us Queer people especially we need to have each other’s back. If you can’t donate please share let’s help save this woman’s life.
Retaj used to live with her family but one day she, while being out in public appearing as a man for safety, was arrested for her eyebrows being appearing too “feminine” and shaped. This lead the authorities to search Retaj’s phone which contained photos of her dressed as a woman. Retaj was arrested on homosexuality charges which is punishable by death in Yemen. Thankfully Retaj was not married so her punishment was 100 lashes and a year in prison. Her family was able to bail her out of prison but she had to endure one hundred lashes all for being trans. At home Retaj was subject to extreme amounts of violent abuse from her family because they found out she was trans. Retaj managed to escape from her abusive family and is currently living with a friend who’s themself is not doing financially well. The United Nations was informed about Retaj’s situation and they recommend her to a organization that can’t help right now because of the coronavirus.
Retaj needs our help. I’ve personally spoke to her and have her tell me that some times she doesn’t even eat because she doesn’t want to feel like a burden on her friend. She can’t work or go out because she will be arrested. She needs money for food and necessities right now. She told me i’ll be able to transfer the money to her friend who will be able to get her everything she needs.
The Yemeni police are holding Retaj’s passport and are charging her money she doesn’t have to get it back. We are hoping to raise enough money help Retaj survive until the coronavirus situation dies down and Retaj is able to receive the necessary aide to escape Yemen.
Please consider donating, even a little bit. Just two dollars could get her a meal. Us Queer people especially we need to have each other’s back. If you can’t donate please share let’s help save this woman’s life.
Fundraising team (2)
Aliyah A
Organizer
Santa Clara, CA
Ethan Doubleday-Everett
Beneficiary
Iman Le Caire
Team member