Kelvin
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Nigeria
Family member since: 2020
Work/Hobbies:
Fashion Designer, Tailor
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It is a place I can call home
Future goals:
To have my own fashion brand and make myself useful in society
Other comments:
I am super excited about this project, it gives hope to those that need it most!
Buraq
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Iraq
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Sport, music, dance
What does the COC Family mean to you:
My lovely family, my support, my everything
Future goals:
To be a famous hairdresser
Hind
Pronouns: She/Her
Identify as: Lesbian
IND Status: Positive!
Country of origin:
Morocco
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Sports, Cooking and I love cats!
What does the COC Family mean to you:
Hope, future and family
Future goals:
I always dreamed to become either a nurse or physiotherapist, however now I have many more jobs in mind...So once I settle down, I will make up my mind and choose one...
Lamin
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: In Procedure
Country of origin:
Guinea Bissau
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Construction, painting, hangout with my friends
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It means lot to me, it brought me friendships and unconditional love
Future goals:
To be protected
Elliman
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: In Procedure
Country of origin:
Gambia
Family member since: 2018
Work/Hobbies:
Professional Chef
What does the COC Family mean to you:
I know that I am not alone,I always feel happy to see my happy family. They help me to be who I am now, so am super glad to be a part them.
Future goals:
To find ways to help my fellow LGBT people...
Ami
Pronouns: She/Her
Identify as: Lesbian
IND Status: In Procedure
Country of origin:
Sierra Leone
Family member since: 2019
Work/Hobbies:
School, dance, movies
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It feels like a real family and whenever I am at the COC, I feel like I can be myself!
Future goals:
I plan to become a great nurse. It is something I have been dreaming of for years. Also have a family of my own.
Lama
Pronouns: She/her
Identify as: Pansexual
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Syria
Family member since: July 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Painting, writing, reading, blogging.
What does the COC Family mean to you:
My safe zone at the most difficult times in my life.
Future goals:
To be a book illustrator.
Gerard
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: In Procedure
Country of origin:
Cameroon
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
Volunteer at COC Eindoven, De Huiskamer, Refu-Bikes, Sports, Cooking, Movies
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It's my community, where I belong, a Family of peace love and joy, where I feel happy and safe.
Future goals:
To feel safe and protected
Other comments:
Stand and fight for the LGBT+ Asylum community!
Sana
Pronouns: She/Her
Identify as: Lesbian
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Pakistan
Family member since: 2018
Work:
Logistics operational support representative.
Hobbies:
Sketching/drawing and hiking.
What does the COC Family mean to you:
A family which lets me be myself completely and loves me for who I am.
Future goals:
Live my life to the fullest, have the peace of being at home here, and support those who are still in the struggle for freedom.
Zafar
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Pakistan
Family member since: 2016
Work/Hobbies:
Volunteer work at COC Eindhoven and in the Zorg
What does the COC Family mean to you:
A place where I am safe, happy and always respected
Future goals:
A career in Logistics and Transport.
Any other comments:
I have been a part of COC Eindhoven and COCktail since 2016. During those years, I got lot of support, attention and respect from #TeamEindhoven.
Thanks for everything #FamilyOfchoice!
Ahmed
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: in Procedure
Country of origin:
Morocco
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
Mini football, volleybal
What does the COC Family mean to you:
My safe place right now and my only family
Future goals:
To be a social worker
Adam
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Morocco
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
basketball and fashion
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COCktail is just f**king lovely! I liked how it made me accept myself more than before, and it played a part of changing to a better version of myself. I like that no matter how I act nobody judges me or looks at me in a weird way, The COC family helped me to be more confident about myself
Future goals:
I like to become a model for a fashion designer and I would like to live my life to the fullest
Mustafa
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: in Procedure
Country of origin:
Iraq
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
Chef, sports, fashion, travel model, surfing, playing tennis, designing decorations and an ambitious person
What does the COC Family mean to you:
The Only Refugee LGBT Big happy family Support and motivation for all newcomers means a lot
Future goals:
Owner of a brand of special clothes and models Owner of an exclusive restaurant for Arab taste Supporting homosexuals in my country and building a civil organization for gay men in Iraq because I do not want them to be oppressed by society
Abdelali
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Morocco
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Traveling, movies, dancing
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COC for me is like a real familly, I can be who I am and we help each other!
Future goals:
I hope to become a well-known makeup artist and haidresser, this is my dream!
Susana
Pronouns: She/Her
Identify as: Lesbian
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Georgia
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Reading,painting, playing the piano/guitar, singing,writing.
What does the COC Family mean to you:
A place where everything is united, warmth, love, safety, support. I am glad to be part of this family
Future goals:
My goal is to deepen my knowledge in criminology and work as a body language expert.
Any other comments
“It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world.”
Sohaib
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: VidK
Country of origin:
Morocco
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Cooking, biking and travelling
What does the COC Family mean to you:
One big happy Family for us!
Future goals:
To repair electronic cars
Tevin
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Jamaica
Family member since: 2019
Work/Hobbies:
Gym, Reading inspirational or gay novels, going to the movies & karaoke.
What does the COC Family mean to you:
That I am not a mistake. That there’s someone out there who understands me, who walks the same path and who has a story. Even though we are all running from our place of birth to be truly ourselves elsewhere, we are full of love, positive vibration and great attributes that can transform this world and COC reminds us that we are worth it!
Future goals:
English Teacher / Human Rights Activist at Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) Switzerland.
Other comments:
Dance to the beat of your own drum even when no one else is hearing it.
Muhammed
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Bisexual
IND Status: VidK
Country of origin:
Gambia
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
Driving, Browsing, Sports, Gym, Netflix
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COC have a good impact in my life, it brings me a weariness, and comfort with my orientation, and happiness, also new friends.
Future goals:
I want to become a software programmer, also to run a program of a LGBTQ+ organization
Any other comment:
As a bisexual Muslim, I frequently grapple with the complex issues that arise from being part of two distinct identity groups. I strive to find acceptance and understanding from my faith and from those within the LGBTQ+ community in order to live an authentic life aligned with my beliefs and values. I seek to foster dialogue and education about the intersection of faith and sexuality, and I am working to ensure that all people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, are respected and validated.
Sheldon
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Trinidad & Tobago
Family member since: 2018
Work/Hobbies:
School and Cooking
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It means a lot, my brothers, sisters, Mother and father all in one! I always feel welcome!
Future goals:
To become a super model 😉
Ahmed 040
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: VidK
Country of origin:
Iraq
Family member since: 2021
Work/Hobbies:
Football Reading Sports Cars
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COC family means I can finally feel like I can be myself.
Future goals:
Be a football coach
Afak/Ash
Pronouns: They
Identify as: Non-binary/Queer
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin: Lebanon /Syria
Family member since: 2022
Work (Volunteer work):
-Hair, Makeup artist and production assistant for Babaddar Noord Nederlands toneel and production responsible for Dabke dance workshops.
Soon acting.
Hobbies:
Drawing- reading- DJ playing- movies
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COC Family is my chosen family, Its home for me.
Future goals:
Help other LGBt refugees, create workshops for them because i see many of my family members still can’t find a safe workshops place so they are only waiting IND and drowning in depression.
Any other comments:
Thank you Jordan for being there for everyone♥️
Musa
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: Positive
Country of origin:
Syria
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
Currently, there is no work, but I am a beginner in learning the Dutch language and I love dancing and swimming
What does the COC Family mean to you:
It's my new family here. COC has been supportive of me every step of the way and gives me a lot of counseling assistance and also some great parties!
Future goals:
Become a women's hairdresser
Zeelanda
Pronouns: She/Her
Identify as: Transwoman
IND Status: in Procedure
Country of origin: Egypt
Family member since: 2018
Work/Hobbies: Data Analyst, Watching Movies, Listen to Symphonic Metal
What does the COC Family mean to you:
Acceptance, place where I truly belong with loving family.
Future goals:
Create my own Organization
Ibrahima
Pronouns: He/Him
Identify as: Gay
IND Status: In procedure
Country of origin:
Guinea
Family member since: 2022
Work/Hobbies:
I want to be an international big truck driver
What does the COC Family mean to you:
COC for me is like a real family, I can be who I am and we help each other
Future goals:
When I have the means I will help my family coc🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈