Mala Badi

#MalaBadi: In the conservative Muslim country of #Morocco, Badi decided to come out as #transgender to their parents during the iftar, or meal that breaks the Ramadan fast at sunset. Unfortunately, their family did not take this news with the joy Badi had inside to finally live their truth. Their father threw a pot of boiling coffee at them, while their brother hit and broke their teeth; their mother yelled and fought back throwing punches – a too familiar scene for many transgender and queer people when they disclose their truth with their blood relatives. Badi had been waiting for this moment since they were 15, when they found a group of LGBTQ friends and found acceptance in a chosen family. As they explained in a #HuffingtonPost article in 2018, “Our life as gay and trans people revolved around a few minutes of sex between the oak trees that line the highways of our cities, or in abandoned houses, or in rooftop rooms of sexual partners, where we would make sure to take off our shoes before climbing the stairs so that no one would find out what we were up to.” They learned how to survive being someone within the LGBTQ+ community from their friend, Zbiba, who taught them the ins and outs of leading a double life in a country where to even speak of such things is looked at with shame and derision. During the #ArabSpring, they protested alongside other activists clamoring for freedom, justice, and equality on the streets and “felt as if [they] had been born again.” And so with this newfound pride as an activist and after learning the history of fellow LGBTQ+ people, they finally decided to come out to their family – which unfortunately rendered them homeless. However, they claim that it was at this time that they became inspired by activists like #SylviaRivera, and when they began to be called names on the streets in Morocco, they would confront their attackers and act up with pride. It was then that they found their voice and no longer lived life in the closet. Badi currently resides in #Amsterdam as a refugee, performing in many European countries and working with #Sehaq, a safe space for queer and trans refugees.  #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs