A transgender woman from Belarus was forced to flee urgently to Spain after facing pressure and threats from the security services. She is now living in a shelter but has no money even for necessities.
My name is Katya Moroz, I am 27 years old, and I am a transgender woman. I had to leave Belarus urgently because I was facing a very real risk of imprisonment.
I took part in the protests, openly spoke about my views, ran a TikTok account where I talked about the life of a transgender woman, and supported LGBTQ+ people. Today, it is dangerous to be an outspoken person in Belarus. It is even more dangerous to be LGBTQ+. And if you are a transgender woman, the risk becomes even more direct: you can be persecuted both for your civic position and simply for who you are.
In 2023, I was already detained because of my videos. At that time, it ended with administrative detention.
Then, in May of this year, the security forces came to my home again. They questioned me, sarcastically asked whether I had changed my opinion about the authorities and whether I wanted to end up in a detention center again. Then they instructed me to report to the police station and bring all of my electronic devices.
At that moment, everything became crystal clear. They would have found everything on those devices: old videos, private messages, subscriptions, my public statements, and evidence of my LGBTQ+ activism. I knew that walking into that interrogation would end with criminal charges.
I know how LGBTQ+ people—especially transgender people—are treated in Belarusian prisons. I wasn't most afraid of the prison sentence itself, but of what could happen to me behind bars. For me, it was a matter of physical survival.
Besides the pressure from the security services, I was also receiving threats from far-right extremists. My livestreams had become fairly popular and attracted attention. Several people wrote to me saying that they hunted down LGBTQ+ people and “punished” them. I received countless threats like these. One of those people even managed to find me, but because I was living in rented apartments, I simply moved.
Eventually, I asked for help, and in May 2026 an organization supporting queer people evacuated me from Belarus. I am now in Spain. My asylum case has been accepted for consideration. I have not yet received a decision, but I am here legally while my application is being processed. I am temporarily staying in accommodation provided by the Red Cross. I have a place to sleep, but it is truly just the minimum needed to survive. I receive only €50 per month for personal expenses.
For now, I am not allowed to work. I am trying to understand how everything works here: where to go, which documents to submit, how to access proper support, where to find specialists, how to learn Spanish, and eventually how to find a job. For now, every office refers me elsewhere. I had to flee in a hurry and had no chance to pack my belongings. I also had no savings because, until the very last moment, I believed I would be able to stay in Belarus.
Right now, I need help covering the most basic expenses: food, transportation, phone service, clothing, hygiene products, paperwork, learning Spanish, and unexpected costs. When you have no income at all, even the smallest expense becomes a serious problem.
I understand that the story of a transgender woman may evoke not only support but other reactions as well. Still, I want to speak openly because I believe in solidarity. I want to believe that people will see not a label, but a person who fled political persecution and is trying to rebuild her life. I need support for these first months after my escape, while I am waiting for my documents, unable to work, and only beginning to find my footing in a new country.
Fundraising goal
€1500
€500 – food and basic living expenses
€300 – clothing and hygiene products
€250 – transportation and communication
€450 – documents, translations, and administrative expenses