My name is Dan. I am a transgender man from Minsk. Before leaving Belarus, I drew comics, studied tattooing, and dreamed of becoming a professional tattoo artist. Today my biggest dream is much simpler: to have a safe place to live, access to the medication I need, and finally start living instead of constantly struggling to survive.
In 2020, I joined my friends in peaceful protests. We believed we could change the future of our country. During one of the demonstrations, I helped a man who had been injured by a stun grenade explosion. When the ambulance arrived, the security forces detained not only the injured man but also those who had tried to help him. That was when I realized that in Belarus, even helping another person could land you behind bars.
In February 2024, I was detained near my home. During the search of my phone, the officers found photos from the protests. Then came questions about my gender identity, my relationship with my partner, my political views, followed by humiliation and insults. After that, I was taken to Okrestina detention center.
I spent three days in an overcrowded cell. It was designed for two people, but there were more than ten of us. The lights were never turned off, day or night. At night, people were woken up only to be humiliated. After the court hearing, I was released. I went straight to my partner and said, “We have to leave.”
But we couldn't leave immediately. Because I had been banned from leaving the country, we spent almost six months in hiding, constantly moving from place to place, staying with friends, and waiting for a chance to escape Belarus. Thanks to BYSOL's assistance, I was eventually evacuated. Later, my partner and I reunited in Lithuania, then moved to Poland and applied for international protection.
We thought we would receive our documents within a few months and be able to work. Instead, nearly two years have passed. Throughout this time, we have been living in uncertainty. Without documents, I cannot work legally, and social benefits together with occasional odd jobs barely cover our rent and basic living expenses.
I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I need to take medication continuously, and without it my condition quickly deteriorates. At one point, I lost my health insurance for a month and had to interrupt my treatment. It became one of the hardest periods since leaving Belarus.
I continue my internship at a tattoo studio, draw sketches every day, and keep learning my profession. This is the career I want to dedicate my life to. But without documents, I cannot turn it into my job.
While waiting for a decision, we have repeatedly come close to losing our home. For some time, we lived in an abandoned squat without basic living conditions. Volunteers have now helped us rent an apartment temporarily, but this support will soon end. We also have two cats that we managed to bring with us from Belarus.
I am asking for your support to help me get through this period. The funds raised will cover housing, medication, and essential living expenses while I wait for a decision on my international protection application.
I truly hope this support will only be temporary. Once I receive my documents, I will be able to work legally in my profession and support myself.
Thank you to everyone who is able to help.
Fundraising goal:
€2,900
€2,000 – rent and utility payments for 3 months
€500 – food and transportation
€400 – medication and medical expenses