To be honest, since childhood I've had the feeling that my orientation is “different”. But at that time I didn't realise what my gender identity was because I didn't really understand what it was about. I definitely felt that my orientation was different from others. Then I learned more about SOGI [sexual orientation, gender identity – editor’s note]. I identify as a heterosexual trans*woman, I like guys.

I understood that from a religious point of view, it was a sin for me to have sexual or romantic contacts with other men. It made me afraid. I thought a lot about what would happen if my parents or relatives found out. My family doesn't know about me.

I came out to a few people only: just my friends and some classmates. The experience has been both positive and negative. My friends told me that it was a sin, that I would go to hell, but I came to the conclusion that the more I would be hiding, the more I would be suffering at heart. It was very difficult because it's not enough to come out – you have to educate people, tell them what's it all about. Our society is very intolerant, it is homophobic and transphobic.

When I was an activist, I was volunteering in LGBT organisations, I learned a lot about SOGI, about communities. It helped me a lot.

According to the Quran, all this is a big sin. I am not a religious person, but I think what I am doing is right. They say the most important thing is for a person to be pure, for their heart to be pure. I do not agree with what others say, because there are many stereotypes in society. I do not think it is a sin. I believe that God created and loves us as we are.

Sometimes, when something bad happens, I might think it's because I'm a trans*woman. But fortunately, it passes quickly.

Sometimes people interpret the Quran differently, there are contradictory surahs in it. One surah says that homosexual men should be punished, and another one says that it's wrong to kill anyone, it's a sin. There is a surah that says a woman may appear uncovered to her husband and some other people, including homosexual men. So the Quran recognises that such people exist.

I cannot go to the mosque and participate in religious activities – it is a risk to my safety. The religious community is homophobic and transphobic, and that worries me a lot.

Three words support me in life: self-confidence, self-identity, self-acceptance. I don't listen to what other people say, it doesn't affect my life. I identify myself as part of the community, that's what important to me. I don't care about the rest.

I helped myself to achieve that: I learned a lot of new and useful things so I don't suffer and torture myself. My colleagues and friends – from the community and outside – also had their impact. A few years ago I went to a training on LGBTQ and Islam and the trainer there said that it was perfectly normal to combine these two identities.

I am an LGBTQ person and I am proud of it.

I am a Muslim, and for me, that means I am God's creation and I should not lose my faith.

I decided to participate in this project because I need to share my story, my experience as an LGBTQ person.

I have been on hormone therapy for a year now: there is no clinical protocol and because of this it is difficult to visit endocrinologists, psychotherapists, other doctors. Because of the lack of standards [of medical care from trans*persons – editor’s note], they can refuse to see you. I had to get tested and go online to an LGBTQ-friendly endocrinologist in Ukraine. Unfortunately, there are no friendly and qualified psychologists here who can support transgender people and understand the peculiarities of their lives.

The most important thing is for every LGBTQ person to realise that they are who they are and ignore the opinions of others. It seems to me many transgender people do not want to engage in self-development. I have tried so much, learned so much, got to know new things and it is very supportive.