My name is Karen
TW; family violence, threats to kill, discrimination, harassment, abuse
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The Story of Karen
I am a 20 year old transgender woman from the countryside in Egypt. I was born into a family that did not accept me for who I am, and from an early age I faced severe violence and discrimination because of my identity.
Because I am transgender, my father has beaten me many times. Twice, he broke my arm. He has threatened to kill me, and other members of my family and people around me have told me the same. Home has never been a safe place for me. Instead of protecting me, my family has been the source of the danger. When I tried to go to the police to report my father and ask for protection, they refused to take my report. They told me he is my father, and that if he killed me it would be okay. The police in Egypt do not help transgender people like me.
Life outside my home is also dangerous. On the metro, police have beaten people they assumed were gay for holding hands, and it happened to me. On the street, strangers stop me and ask whether I am a boy or a girl, and attack me when the answer does not fit. When people know I am trans, they tell me God will kill me, and that they will kill me.
Medical care is out of reach. I take hormones in secret, because my family can’t find out. When I went to a doctor and asked for help with my hormones, he refused and told me to go to hell. Doctors who provide transition related care risk arrest, and so does anyone who seeks it, so I cannot get the care I need. I know taking hormones by myself is dangerous, and I hope that one day I can find a doctor who will give me the right care.
My father is now pressuring me to join the Egyptian military. This terrifies me. When I went to an office before to get paperwork to help me travel, people punched me in the face and told me very bad words, that I am a bad person, that I should die. I have tried to find other work, but a boss told me I was too ugly to come back, and I have not found work that respects me. I have searched for support from organizations, but there is none I can reach. I have tried so hard to change my situation, but I cannot do it alone.
I want to travel to a country that respects me and will help me live as I am. I have looked at Germany, but the visa is very difficult for Egyptians. Now I am hoping to travel to Serbia or Vietnam and tell my story to the UN, and wait for their decision. I want access to proper medical care, the freedom to be myself, and the chance to live without constant fear. I am not asking for a perfect life. I am asking for a real chance to live in safety and rebuild my life.
I am doing everything I can, but I cannot manage the costs of safe accommodation, food, essential living expenses, and travel without help. That is why I have started a fundraising campaign.
From the team at TRANS magazine
This is Karen’s story, told by Karen herself. We spoke with her on a video call, and she showed us the bruises and the broken arm that her family inflicted on her for being who she is. We are deeply touched by her story and by the courage she has shown in sharing it. For her own safety, we are not publishing her photo, because if people in Egypt recognised her, it could put her life in danger. We have spoken with her directly and verified that her story is real.
Karen is doing everything she can, but she cannot escape alone. Please help her reach safety, and donate or share her campaign.
Support Karen and donate or share