“One of our participants, a young trans person from Syria, came to us after being rejected not only by their family, but also feeling unsafe in the asylum center. They had stopped speaking during intake interviews because they felt constantly misgendered and misunderstood.“

“Through Queer Work’s group sessions, they slowly began to open up again. With one-on-one coaching, we helped them practice how to speak about their identity and skills in Dutch. Now, they are studying social work themselves with the dream of helping others like them.“

Mohammed

“When I arrived in the Netherlands, I felt completely lost. As a non-binary person, I didn’t feel safe or seen in most places—and learning Dutch felt like an impossible mountain. Every time I tried to join a class, I felt anxious, misgendered, or too overwhelmed to focus. I started to believe that maybe I wasn’t smart enough, or strong enough, to learn.”

“At Queer Work, everything changed. For the first time, I was in a space where I could be myself and take my time. I joined a group workshop where we practiced Dutch in a fun and respectful way without shame. The coach even used gender-inclusive examples. I’m still learning, but now I believe I can do it. And I’m not doing it alone.”

Anna

“After I was attacked in Amsterdam for being visibly queer, everything in me shut down. I couldn’t sleep, I stopped going to school, and the idea of being in public spaces terrified me. As a lesbian refugee, I already carried so much fear—but after that night, I didn’t see a future for myself here.”

“Through Queer Work, I received coaching that didn’t just focus on goals, but also on healing. My coach listened without judgment, helped me rebuild trust in myself, and gave me small steps I could manage. Slowly, I returned to my studies. I’m not fully there yet, but I feel stronger. I feel seen. And I believe again that I have a place in this country.”

Lila