How has it been so far being a diaspora ? 

It  has been amazing so far and like life in general, it has its ups and down. It has always been my dream to be here and I’m more than glad to have been opportune  to live the dream. I moved because I needed to further my education  and have that global insight and here I am. 

How have you been able to juggle your finances in your first year? 

It was hard I’m not going to lie, I mean being in a totally new environment and being the firstborn of your family, it’s a whole different ball game and responsibility. The first three years, I had to send money back home to cover the loans my parents took towards me getting a masters degree here in America. It was the third year I got to explore my sexuality, I mean, I’m glad that I did to be honest. And it was that year I also got to find out that I was HIV positive. There’s something about America that is just pretty easing. Those things we consider to be a plague or a big deal aren’t that much of a big deal here. Do you have HIV? Well, just go to the hospital and do what is right, It’s not a death sentence. 

How did your family react to this ? 

I didn’t tell them at first and I actually wanted to opt for health insurance but I couldn’t because I had to send money home. The whole trouble began when I came out to them - being gay & trans, they didn’t take it lightly. They thought I was possessed by some demon and my mom would send me prayer points every Sunday. I wasn’t looking for their acquiescence but I just wanted them to know. Besides, I had plans to marry my ex boyfriend at that point and he was a public figure, so I didn’t want a situation where they’d see it in a blog somewhere. But unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned with my ex then which is a story for another day, and I wished he forgave me when I cheated on him too. 

How are things with your family now? 

They are still praying and I’m still gay. I won’t stop them from praying so far it makes them sleep at night. I mean they are my family and I love them, if I didn’t I wouldn't have used the money I needed for my health insurance to cater for them. Many might say that “but they took loans for you to further your education”, but who is supposed to take the loan if not them ? Do they expect Donald Trump to give me free education? It’s their responsibility and I’m entitled to it.