War tragically brings disruption to nearly every aspect of one's life. For Yuliya Mulyukina, a photographer and videographer from Russia living in Ukraine with her girlfriend, Anastasia, Russia's invasion forced them to flee their home and life as they knew it. They stayed in a shelter in Ukraine for a few days before crossing the border into Poland. There, they learned of ORAM's support for displaced LGBTIQ Ukrainians in Berlin and beyond, and they crossed another border to meet our team.
Pictured: Yuliya (left) with her girlfriend, Anastasia (right).
In that initial meeting, Yuliya shared that ORAM "helped them with everything." ORAM provided them with translation services, assistance with essential documentation to ensure they were properly registered to live in Berlin, and an apartment for one month. After the month passed, ORAM assisted Yuliya and her girlfriend in moving to a hotel where they awaited a longer-term housing solution. On June 5th, Yuliya and Anastasia celebrated the start of Pride month and their new apartment provided by ORAM, for which they have a six-month lease.
In July, Camille Ogoti, ORAM's Ukraine Program Manager, approached Yuliya about working as a photographer for ORAM at Berlin Pride. Yuliya was incredibly excited to attend this event as it would be her first experience at a Pride festival. "In Russia and Ukraine, it's not common, and it's not safe to attend these events," Yuliya shared with us through an interpreter.
Pictured: Yuliya and Anastasia (right) with Camille (left) and neighbor, Alina (second to left), outside their apartment building.
"I was inspired to attend Berlin Pride and felt myself in this bright, freedom spirit [felt during the event]. It motivated me to move further," she shared with us as her smile lit up. "I felt invisible because everywhere everyone was in a big part of one event. It was very comfortable for me to work and participate," Yuliya reflected on her first Pride festival.
Pictured: one of the amazing photos from Berlin Pride taken by Yuliya.
Yuliya did a phenomenal job capturing Berlin Pride (click here to view her photos from the event). ORAM also invited her to photograph a two-day roundtable discussion that it organized on supporting LGBTIQ Ukrainian refugees. Click here to see pictures from the Berlin conference.
Pictured: ORAM Executive Director Steve Roth (center) speaking at the Berlin Conveying, joined by Senior Program Manager Anja Limon (left) and Board Chair Rajiv Desai (right).
"[I'm] happy not just to be another [refugee] case, [I'm] very grateful to take part in the conference and Berlin Pride as it was motivating... ORAM is doing great high-quality work in supporting [LGBTIQ] refugees in Berlin. I hope to work together in the future," she shared, reflecting on her experience working as a photographer for ORAM.
What's next for Yuliya and her girlfriend? Berlin was the ideal location for them to relocate to after the war began, as it is relatively easy to integrate and has a large LGBTIQ community. They are working on documents to prepare for their new life in Germany. Still, they are considering moving to the U.S., as Yuliya's sister lives in Pennsylvania.
Ultimately, Yuliya and Anastasia want to pursue their dream careers. Yuliya intends to continue her photography, and Anastasia is a yoga teacher who aspires to open her own studio. "We want to make our dreams come true," Yuliya shared. "We want to feel safe, be together, dream, be happy, and keep calm. Everything like our real life was in Ukraine before."
Thank you, Yuliya, for your incredible work capturing these two events! To provide essential support to ORAM's work on behalf of LGBTIQ Ukrainians like Yuliya and Anastasia, please donate here.
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