“They wanted to ‘fix’ me, but I am not broken. Finding a safe space meant I could finally start living as my true self.”
Nadeem, a 20-year-old queer Pakistani Muslim from the North-East, grew up in a strict religious household with extended family. His world was shattered when, during the Covid-19 lockdown, his mother caught him using dating apps and watching LGBTQ+ content. His family, fearing community backlash, acted swiftly—forcing him to move in with his grandparents and enrolling him in conversion therapy to “cure” his sexuality.
The experience left deep scars. As soon as he turned 18, Nadeem sought freedom by immersing himself in LGBTQ+ spaces online. However, his newfound independence led to risky situations. Lacking healthy relationships or guidance, he engaged in unsafe sexual behaviour and, when things became unbearable at home, moved in with a partner he had met online. This relationship quickly became abusive, but with nowhere else to go, he remained trapped.
A safeguarding officer at his college helped him apply for homelessness status, but the council did not classify him as a priority due to a lack of documented evidence of abuse. Left without options, he continued bouncing between temporary stays with friends. Eventually, he found a charity that offered supported accommodation, giving him a safe place to heal and regain control of his life.
With the support of akt and other community groups, Nadeem has started rebuilding. He follows a queer-friendly mosque in London online, drawing strength from a version of faith that embraces him for who he is. Now, he is working towards stable employment and independent housing, determined to carve out a future where he no longer has to justify his existence.