limitlessafricans: #LimitlessAfricans: Aru, Queer Congolese (Shot in Brussels, Belgium) Q. Was there
limitlessafricans: #LimitlessAfricans: Aru, Queer Congolese (Shot in Brussels, Belgium) Q. Was there ever a time where you felt pushed away from your African or LGBTQ identities? If so, how did you overcome that personally? “I grew up in Zimbabwe and Botswana, the moment I realised I like women (age 14) I did not have the vocabulary to even express what it is I felt, nor understand the complexities of sexuality and identity. I had no problem at the time feeling proud of being African. So I wouldn’t say I was being pushed I away. I think it was more of a lack of understanding which didn’t allow me to intersect the two identities. I felt more pushed away or challenged about my African identity when I moved to the UK and Belgium. Having to hide who I am, or act a certain way to keep the peace around relatives within the household for fear of causing arguments were the times I really felt pushed from my identity. Being told I can’t be accepted for “what I am” is when you make that choice for you to validate yourself. Realising I had the power in myself to make myself happy is how I started overcoming these hurdles. It starts with the mindset really. Then surrounding myself or talking to people that understood these complexities further helped my self-growth and self-love.” - Aru (they/them) Website: www.limitlessafricans.com Donate: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=48VSXUG4RBZVG -- source link
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