Trans man on the run from Cameroon to Dubai to Ukraine, still seeking dignity
Mid-transition, Gaëlle is living through a nightmare of racism, tragedy and war
By Steeve Winner
For several years, Gaëlle has been on the run, fleeing the violence, rejection and brutality of a world that refused to accept him as he is. Born in Cameroon, he was forced to leave his native country due to systemic transphobia and the rise of homophobic violence directed against him.
Gaëlle told his story in several telephone interviews.
Orphaned and without family support, he had to face the pain alone. He narrowly escaped forced marriages, public beatings and sexual violence—traumas from which he still bears physical scars today. He underwent four surgeries to repair damage inflicted by that violence, including removal of ovaries and uterus. Every scar he bears is a testament to his suffering, but also to his resilience.
Rejected by his family in Douala because of his gender identity and sexual orientation, Gaëlle seized an opportunity to get a visa and travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where he thought he would find work. While he was there, he began his transition from female to male.
But reality quickly caught up with him. With a national identity card labeling him as female, Gaëlle had no legal proof of his identity. He was unable to find decent work and was often told he was “too visible,” “too different,” and that his “remarkable” identity wasn’t suitable for business. He found himself marginalized again, this time in a foreign country.
In April, a glimmer of hope appeared in the form of an invitation from his hometown friend Andee (not her real name), who had been living in Ukraine for some time. She invited him to join her in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, where she was a student. Gaëlle promptly flew to Kharkiv. Despite the proximity of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, Gaëlle finally enjoyed a moment of respite in Ukraine, far from Cameroonian discrimination, violence, and rejection. For the first time in a long time, Gaëlle felt seen, loved and safe.
But fate had other plans. Just a few days after Gaëlle arrived in Ukraine, Andee departed on a short, previously planned visit to Nigeria. During that visit, Andee suffered a fatal traffic accident.
Gaëlle found himself alone again, grieving, without direction, in a country at war, in a city that’s the target of Russian bombs. In the midst of this new nightmare, he now must confront racists who shun him because of the color of his skin. He survives by doing small jobs.
His hormonal transition is on hold due to a lack of access to appropriate treatment. His weight is increasing rapidly, worsening his physical and mental health, and plunging him into depression. Pessimistic about his inability to speak Ukrainian, he has not contacted any Ukrainian LGBTQ advocacy groups.
He feels constantly scrutinized, judged, ignored, and abandoned.
“I’m isolated. I hardly know anyone here. I live in constant insecurity,” he confides.
“I tried to contact public services to get support for my transition but nothing was done. Every day, I feel like I’m fading away. I don’t regret leaving Cameroon—but I sincerely thought I would find a better life. A life where I could finally be understood, accepted, and live freely without harming anyone.”
What Gaëlle needs isn’t money, he says. It’s a compassionate place to live. He wants to leave Ukraine and move to a country in Europe or the Americas where he can resume his transition and live safely, far from racism.
“I need support, guidance, and above all, a sympathetic ear. I’m not asking for comfort or luxury—I’m simply asking for dignity. A chance to survive,” he says.
“Please… I need you. I need support, a helping hand. Don’t let me sink.”
Steeves Winner, the author of this article, is a Cameroonian journalist who writes under a pseudonym. Contact him at steeves.w@yahoo.com. You can also contact Gaëlle through him.
