“I am a lesbian woman from Bangladesh. Growing up, I could never live openly because homosexuality is criminalised and deeply rejected in my country. I spent years living a hidden life, constantly afraid of being exposed. My family pressured me into marriage, but I divorced quickly because I could not deny who I truly am. Throughout my professional and social life, I was treated as an outsider. My colleagues gossiped, my students passed comments, and my relatives often excluded me from family events. Even though I earned a PhD and worked as a university teacher, I was never free from discrimination or isolation. What kept me strong was my inner belief that I deserve dignity, love, and freedom. After moving to Australia, I finally feel the possibility of belonging without fear. Here, I see a community where LGBTQ+ people can live openly and have a voice. For me, resilience means surviving years of silence and rejection but still holding onto hope. Connection means finding community where our stories are not hidden, but celebrated. As ACON marks 40 years, I am proud to share my story of struggle and courage, and to add my voice to our collective history.” |
