My name is Alagie Jammeh and I support LGBTQ equality.



As a 25-year old International student studying Global Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, I feel so lucky to be able to think freely and be myself in the United States. I am one of 17 children, and the first to ever graduate high school, and now to attend college.



However, Growing up in the Republic of The Gambia in West Africa, I was raised very differently. I was taught, specifically, that LGBTQ people are terrible, evil and should be condemned.



Living in the United States has shown me that this is not the case. Earlier this year, I showed open support on Facebook for LGBTQ people, who I have come to love and respect dearly. Due to this, the scholarship I received to attend UCSB from my home country was revoked, and I was told by the government of the Republic of the Gambia, that if I returned I would face life in prison.



Since then, my mother has had to leave the country, I have been alienated by my home government, family and friends, and have suffered financial burdens- leaving me in debt to my University, unstable food sources and housing, and daily stress, anxiety and depression from losing everything I hold dear.



But, I have been able to keep going from the support I have found at my school; the resources, friends and professors, my local church and a new family I am beginning to create. The opportunity to graduate and achieve my goals is keeping me going.



Living in the United States, I am not scared to do what I know is right. But what awaits me in my home country is shame and persecution. Even though I have been suffering, I still have my freedom. I want to express myself without fear of losing my life.



I realize that my actions were punished by those who do not understand, are frightened of what they do not understand, and will likely never understand the importance of freedom, unbiased education, and embracing people for who they are.



Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which one could use to change the world.” Your help would allow me to continue my education and my journey of expanding my horizons, and would allow me to be an example of standing up for what is right even against controlling and limiting entities.



I have a belief that when one door is closed, another one can be opened. Please support me as I walk through this next journey of my life.

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