For Lesbian Visibility Week 2026, we are sharing the story of Aylin and Elif*, a lesbian couple from Turkey and members of the Micro Rainbow community. For a long time, safety and visibility were not part of their lives. Their relationship had to be kept a secret, as being seen together came with risk.
After years of hiding, a difficult journey to the UK and months of isolation while navigating the asylum system, Aylin and Elif have now both been granted refugee status and are beginning to build the life they once felt was impossible, including plans to get married.
Hiding in Turkey
Same‑sex relationships are not criminalised in Turkey, but LGBTQI people face widespread discrimination, harassment and increasing restrictions on visibility. Pride marches have been banned for years, LGBTQI organisations targeted, and hostile public rhetoric has intensified. For many lesbians, being open can put personal safety, employment and family relationships at risk.
For Aylin and Elif, that reality shaped their relationship from the beginning. Aylin said:
“We were always hiding, hiding our feelings, hiding our relationship, hiding who we really are. It’s not just about the law. It’s about how people treat you, the way they look at you. You are always scared that someone will find out.”
When they did speak about their relationship, the response was often hostile. Aylin said:
“When we said we were gay, people were really surprised. Some people look differently, and they don’t stop talking. It’s very rude, and it’s very hard. We couldn’t talk about our future; we were just trying to survive.”
Over time, living in fear and invisibility took its toll. With no safe way to imagine a future together in Turkey, the couple made the painful decision to leave in search of safety.
Arriving in the UK and feeling isolated
Arriving in the UK brought hope, but not immediate relief. Like many LGBTQI people seeking asylum, Aylin and Elif found themselves navigating an unfamiliar system without support. Aylin said:
“When we first arrived, we felt very lonely. Just a little room, like a box. It was a really hard time. We didn’t know the process, we didn’t know anything.”
They were placed in hostel accommodation while awaiting decisions on their claim. Elif said:
“We didn’t have any friends or family here. We lived in a hostel. Sharing bedrooms, sharing kitchens, suddenly very different cultures together. Some people didn’t accept us, and we felt fear. Explaining our relationship was really hard.”
This kind of isolation is common for LGBTQI people seeking asylum. Many are placed in shared accommodation where they may feel unsafe being open about their identity, while also coping with long periods of uncertainty and the mental strain of waiting.
Finding support through Micro Rainbow
Feeling increasingly alone, Aylin and Elif began searching online for an LGBTQI community and support. Aylin said:
“We were searching for LGBT community because we felt very lonely. We searched on Google and found Micro Rainbow, then we sent the email. Then the journey started.”
Through Micro Rainbow, the couple were able to access information, legal signposting and specialist support. They also joined Micro Rainbow’s Social Inclusion programme, which exists to reduce the extreme isolation many LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees face by creating safe, welcoming spaces to connect, share experiences and build community.
Aylin said:
“Meeting people like us changed everything. For the first time, we felt understood without needing to explain ourselves.”
Pride and belonging
Taking part in social inclusion events such as London Pride and the UK Women’s March was especially meaningful for the couple. Aylin said:
"The Pride march was really nice, that experience was like a dream to us. Back at home [where Pride marches have been banned since 2015], we were always watching videos and films, but it was our first time attending in real life.”
Walking alongside others from the Micro Rainbow community brought a sense of pride and celebration.
Elif said:
“I felt very proud. Everybody was supporting each other, and it was very colourful. We made friends, and we felt a sense of belonging and strength while we were walking inside the group. It was unforgettable.”
Planning a wedding and a future
Throughout the asylum process, Aylin and Elif relied on each other as their main source of support, navigating isolation, uncertainty and difficult living conditions together when they had no wider safety net. They describe their strengths as a couple as being rooted in trust, mutual support and visibility, qualities that helped them survive the process and imagine a future beyond it.
Now, with refugee status granted, that future is starting to feel real. Elif said:
“Planning our wedding feels like a dream we couldn’t reach before. Now it’s possible. Sometimes we still can’t believe it. It’s the biggest happiness for us.”
Creating visibility for others
Inspired by lesbian history and their own journey, they have created a community interest company, starting with T‑shirts inspired by Sappho, the ancient poet often recognised as a lesbian icon. Aylin said:
“Sappho is very important to us. She was a very brave heart in history.”
Elif added:
“Every T‑shirt has a different story. For us, it’s about visibility.”
A message for Lesbian Visibility Week
When asked what they would say to other lesbian asylum seekers at the beginning of their journey, the couple spoke from experience. Aylin said:
“Never give up on being yourself. Keep going. Believe in yourself.”
Elif said:
“It’s not an easy way, we leave lots of things behind. But never give up.”
This Lesbian Visibility Week 2026, we celebrate Aylin and Elif and all lesbian refugees and people seeking asylum who continue to carry strength, love and the courage to hope for more, even in the most difficult circumstances.
*Pseudonyms and stock images are used in this article to protect the identity of the people we work with.
