Mikhail's Journey
Mikhail, a gay male in his 30s from Eastern Europe, grew up an orphan due to the death of his family while he was a young child. He became aware of his sexuality at age four and because homosexuality is illegal in his home nation, he also became aware of the contempt, alienation, and violence directed towards people of his sexuality throughout his childhood. Despite his hardships, Mikhail graduated with a degree in journalism and had a distinguished career, often being the only public advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights in the media. However, he still faced regular abuse from his superiors and co-workers. When Mikhail reported unethical journalism practices, his superiors physically assaulted him. When he called the police to report the assault, the officers were unwilling to help him due to his sexual identity. He was fired from his job the following day.
Mikhail struggled to find authentic connections because it was illegal for two men to be in a relationship. Most of his partners, whom he found through online dating sites, did not use their real names and were not willing to date consistently. When Mikhail would go out with men, they would be subject to constant harassment, including slurs, death threats, and physical intimidation, with no protection from local police.
Mikhail had one partner that he started to see often and built a close relationship with despite not knowing the man’s real name. One day, Mikhail stopped hearing from the man; later, he learned that his partner had been killed for being a homosexual. Because of the fear, loss, and violence he experienced on a near daily basis both in his personal and professional life, Mikhail decided to find a way to flee his home country.
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In 2022, Mikhail fled to a neighboring nation where he found out that the government was complying with his home nation’s government and that he could not ask for asylum there. He bought a ticket to Mexico and claimed asylum at the San Ysidro border. Mikhail struggled for months with mental health symptoms, lack of work authorization, unstable housing, and difficulty understanding the American health care system until he was referred to SURVIVORS in 2023.
Since being referred to SURVIVORS, Mikhail has access to healthcare, engages in weekly case management, attends weekly therapy and psychiatry appointments, is working on coping skills to manage his depression and anxiety symptoms, and has been referred to an LGBTQ+ Center in San Diego where he receives housing vouchers and support.
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SURVIVORS’ clinical case managers have taken Mikhail to the DMV and helped him get a California ID, shown him how to correctly navigate the legal system and advocate for himself to legal representation, have connected him to community resources, and assist in his employment search while he awaits his permanent work authorization. He hopes to find a job as a graphic designer.
With SURVIVORS’ support, Mikhail is integrating well into American society, working hard to continuously improve his mental health, and rebuilding his life in his new community.