A mother’s Pride
‘Pride is important. It’s an inspiration and a sign of hope, that somewhere people will be accepted for who they are. It also raises awareness of issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, like abuse and discrimination,’ says Maria.
Maria’s son is gay, which is an offence in the African country where she was born. ‘I stood by him, which meant I was taken by the police, abused and outcast by my community.’
Maria’s life was made a misery wherever she went. Eventually, she was offered an opportunity to leave the country and she took it. ‘I felt lucky to have that chance,’ says Maria. ‘I didn’t know then that they were traffickers.’
Entrapped and exploited
An extremely traumatic time followed, during which Maria was brought to the UK and made to work in a brothel. She describes it as torture.
When her traffickers tried to relocate Maria to a brothel in another city, she finally had a chance to escape. ‘I told them I needed the toilet on the way,’ she said.
‘In the public toilet, I saw a red coat that someone had left. I just knew that I needed to put on the coat and walk out of the toilet. I managed to do this really calmly, moving past without them recognising me in the different coat, and managed to get away. By the grace of God, I miraculously escaped. I can never stop counting my blessings.’
Smiling and strong, again
Maria is now recovering: ‘Going to Ella’s was a real life changing experience. The staff and other residents were amazing. I learnt self-compassion, it made me realise that suffering is not a failing. They put a constant smile on my face, something I had missed for a while.’ And she is as committed to her convictions as ever.
“I learnt self-compassion, it made me realise that suffering is not a failing. They put a constant smile on my face, something I had missed for a while.”
Happy Pride, from Maria and all of us as Ella’s. May you be accepted for who you are, today and every day.