“When I found out I won asylum, I burst into tears.”

Roman

In Moscow, I was a successful university professor writing my PhD. I earned enough to rent an apartment in an ideal location. It was like a dream—except for one thing. 

Living in Russia as a gay man was miserable.  

One of the many times I was stopped by the police, they fought me to the floor, and kicked me repeatedly in the stomach. I came home shattered. It was then I knew I had to leave Russia for the U.S. 

When I arrived in Los Angeles, I contacted Immigration Equality. They gave me the most wonderful lawyers. After four years of waiting, I was finally granted asylum.

When I found out I won asylum, I burst into tears.

I am no longer so limited in what I can do. I love traveling, and I can travel again. But most importantly, I’m protected from being sent back to Russia, where my life is in danger. 

When I left Russia, I left a career, and I left my friends. It was just like saying goodbye to the life that I built, that I worked really hard for.  

While I can’t replicate what I created in Russia, I’m creating a life that I love here in Los Angeles. For one, I’m now married to a wonderful and supportive man. I was also recently accepted into a doctoral program for clinical psychology, which starts in the fall.  

My hopes for the future are simple: to have a good career, have kids, and have a normal life like everyone else. Unfortunately, in Russia, these simple hopes are unattainable for LGBTQ people. 

Together, we can help more LGBTQ asylum seekers fulfill their dreams.