Dear Friend,

My name is Omar, and you may have heard my story before. I came to the U.S. 10 years ago because being LGBTQ in Egypt is a death sentence. Since coming to the United States, I’ve been able to live openly as a trans man and share my life with the woman of my dreams.

This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share with you the story of how I met my fiancé, and how asylum made this possible.

A few years ago, Isabelle and I met at the restaurant where we both worked. Although we first started as coworkers, we realized there was a special connection between us, and we started to fall for one another. 

Our first date together was at an arcade where we bonded over Dance Dance Revolution. Since then, Isabelle and I have shared many romantic moments, played hours of Mario Kart together, and danced on the beach late at night under the moonlight. Over time, as we got closer and closer, I realized that she was the one for me. When I was invited to last year’s Immigration Equality Safe Haven Awards, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to propose to her. 

Watch the moment I propose to my fiancé!

I usually keep my cool, but when I surprised Isabelle with a proposal, I was jumping out of my skin. It was the happiest moment of my life—not only because she said yes, but because I got to show my supporters what they made possible.

Working with Immigration Equality and winning asylum saved my life. It gave me the chance to be my authentic self and to love whom I love. Since winning asylum, I no longer fear persecution for my identity. I get to feel safe with my fiancé.  

Immigration Equality continues to help hundreds of LGBTQ asylum-seekers every year like me so that they can live openly as their authentic selves, and be free to love. 

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of love to someone just like me. Will you commit to love today?