Olu, Nigeria
I am from Nigeria and am 28 years old. I had a male partner when I was 10 years old but never knew what sexual orientation was all about. Growing up I was teased that I “walked like a lady” and I knew that I was attracted to males and females. My parents caught me with a boy when I was 13 years old. When my dad found out he beat me to the point that he gave me a scar on my right arm and when I ran away, I tripped and broke my front teeth. I still can’t forget those memories. As a result of this situation, I changed schools and moved communities. Years passed until I got to university and I met a male friend who later became my partner. We were together for three years in secrecy before we were caught by his family. I still hid it from my family but when my partner became very sick, I had to disclose it to my mother. She told my family and my dad disowned me and threw me out of the house. My mom found a place for me to stay and always tried to protect me but eventually I felt like it wasn’t safe for me in Nigeria anymore so very quickly my mom arranged for me to go to Toronto. I arrived here in August 2018 and I knew nobody here. My mom is the only reason that I’m alive today. I know my mom would go to any length to provide for me. When I arrived in Canada, I eventually had to stay in a shelter, but am now living independently and am awaiting my refugee status hearing. My dream is to one day meet my mom at Pearson airport, and for her to be proud of me as her child.
2020 Update:
I have been able to build my career in the IT field and get to work in an organization appreciating diversity with no sexual discrimination. I have also gotten a new boyfriend who I met in church and we’ve been together for a year now!
PhotoGRAPHED by
Ammar is a Yemeni newcomer who arrived in Canada at the age of 17. Upon arriving in Toronto he took up photography in high school and realized that he had an intense passion for photography. Since, he continues to shoot with a variety of film and digital cameras and focuses on street photography while capturing Toronto's diverse communities.